Morphological features of the uterus during postnatal development in the West African Dwarf goat (Capra hircus)

The knowledge of the age at which the West African Dwarf (WAD) goat attains puberty could be exploited to improve this breed of goat and intensify production. The objective of this study was to highlight the postnatal developmental morphology of the uterine tissues of the WAD goat from birth to 28 weeks of age. Fifty WAD goat kids were obtained and grouped into 10 groups of 5 goats per group from day old to week 28. The uterine tissues of euthanized goats were dissected out and examined grossly. Thereafter fixed uterine tissues were prepared for light microscopy and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Histological images of the uterine tissues were captured with a moticam camera. The length and weight of the uterine horns increased significantly (P < 0.05) from birth to week 28 respectively. The uterine horn was shaped like a ram's horn. Internally, caruncles were prominent at birth and were regularly arranged in the uterine horn but irregularly arranged in the uterine body. Caruncles were absent in the cranial one third of the uterine horns. Histologically, the uterine horn and uterine body were similar. The endometrium was very cellular at birth without any form of glandular development, while the myometrium and the stratum vasculare were ill defined. Endometrial glands were first observed at week 1. The pseudostratified columnar epithelium of the mucosa at birth changed to simple columnar by week 12. The endometrium and the myometrium were well developed by week 12. In conclusion, the uterus of WAD goat at week 12 appeared similar to the uterus of an adult WAD goat indicating that this goat probably attains puberty earlier than the five - seven months previously reported.