%0 Journal Article
%T Changes in the Seminiferous Epithelium of the Testes during Postnatal Development in Assam Goat
%A Kamal Sarma
%A J. Devi
%J Anatomy Research International
%D 2012
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2012/620924
%X The present work is conducted to elucidate the postnatal development of the seminiferous epithelium of the testes of the Assam goats from 0 day to 10 months of age. A total of eighteen Assam goats divided into six age groups, namely, group-I (0-day), group-II (2 months), group-III (4 months), group-IV (6 months), group-V (8 months), and group-VI (10 months), consisting of 3 animals in each group were used in this study. The seminiferous tubules did not have lumina up to the age of 2 months, hence called the sex cords, and these contained centrally placed gonocytes and peripherally located sustentacular cells. Initiation of spermatogenesis started in 4-month old kids. Luminization process was completed by 6 months of age with all the seminiferous tubuyes having well-developed lumina at this age. These seminiferous tubules contained all the spermatogenic cells of the adult testis. Onset of puberty was observed to be established at 6 months of age in the Assam goats as evidenced by presence of spermatozoa adhering to the adluminal border of the Sertoli cells as well as in the tubular lumen. The histomorphology of various cells of the seminiferous epithelium has been described. 1. Introduction India possesses 122.92 millions of goats of which 29.06 lacs are found in Assam [1]. Goat rearing has tremendous potential in the northeastern states particularly among the small and marginal farmers and landless laborers because of very low initial investment and adequate financial returns. More than 85 percent of the population in this region is nonvegetarian, and chevon is preferred by all as it has no religious taboo. Postnatal anatomical studies on the male genital system at various ages, particularly the testis and its tubular system, are important to know the anatomical growth and development. A few anatomical studies on testes are reported in goats, namely, biometry of the testes in the Sirohi goats [2], testicular measurements in the Assam local X Beetal goats [3], and testicular growth in the British Saanen, Alpine, and Toggenburg breeds of bucks [4]. Some works were also conducted in other ruminants elucidating morphology and biometry of the testes such as buffalo [5] and rams [6]. This study is the first report for the postnatal development of the seminiferous epithelium in the Assam goat. 2. Materials and Methods A total of 18 male Assam goats varying in age from 0-day to 10 months were used in the present study. The animals were divided into six age groups, namely group-I (0-day), group-II (2 months), group-III (4 months), group-IV (6 months), group-V (8
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ari/2012/620924/