Age Wise Internal Morphometrical Studies on the Heart of Pre-natal Non-descript Sheep

Abstract

Background: Heart is the central organ of circulatory system that pumps blood into the blood vessels and performs many vital functions. Its development before birth must be studied to safeguard the animal from the occurrence and consequences of various developmental anomalies. The detailed morphometry of different internal parameters of heart especially in pre-natal sheep has not yet been reported. Methods: The foeti of sheep were divided into two age groups viz. mid prenatal (51-100 days) and late prenatal (101 to 150 days) with fifteen animals in each age group. The various internal parameters were recorded by using digital weighing machine, graduated measuring cylinder, digital Vernier’s calliper, non-stretchable nylon thread and graduated scale. The data recorded was statistically analysed by independent t test with IBM SPSS 25.0 version software. Result: The average thickness of left ventricular wall of heart was measured as 2.85±0.15mm and 4.28±0.07mm in mid prenatal and late prenatal stages respectively with significant (p£0.01) differences between the ages. Similarly, the average diameter of left atrio-ventricular opening of heart was measured as 2.06±0.27mm and 6.08±0.36mm in mid prenatal and late prenatal stages respectively with significant (p£0.01) differences between the ages. The average length of septal papillary muscle in right ventricle was measured as 1.12±0.10mm and 3.29±0.21mm in mid prenatal and late prenatal stages respectively with significant (p£0.01) differences between the ages. Further, the average length of moderator band in heart was measured as 1.45±0.11mm and 4.34±0.23mm in mid prenatal and late prenatal stages respectively with significant (p£0.01) differences between the ages. Similarly, the average length of chordae tendinae in right ventricle of heart was measured as 0.97±0.09mm and 3.50±0.34mm in mid prenatal and late prenatal stages respectively with significant (p£0.01) differences between the ages.