Scanning electron microscopic observation on the development of conical papillae in Korean native goats (Capra hircus)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the morphological development pattern of conical papilla (CP) on prenatal and postnatal periods in Korean native goats by scanning electron microscopy. Tongues were removed from fetuses on days 90, 120, and neonates and from juveniles on days 30, 50, 60, 75, 90, 120, 150 and 180 after birth. The lengths of CP were 194~240 μm in the neonates, 335~485 μm in the weaning period of 60-day-old goats, and 526~662 μm in the maturing period of 180-day-old goats. The primordia of CP in 90-day-old fetuses, shaped like mountain berry, were sprouted. The CP of 120-day-old fetuses was a cylinder shape with apex whose center was a little bit concave and the margin was sticking up like a low fence. The CP of neonates was empty inside and the secondary papillae were irregularly arranged fence-like structures on it. In 60-dayold goats, CP was an obliquely sectioned cylinder shape compacted in inner surface. 120-day-old goats had various shapes of CP, which surface was smooth. 150- and 180-dayold goats had a low elevation of CP. The microridges, microplicae and micropits were well developed on the epithelial surface of lingual papillae from 60- to 120-day-old goats. These findings indicate that CP of goat has a variety of sizes and shapes during development.