Radiolographic Study on Dentition of Goat (Capra hircus) During the Prenatal Development

The present study was planned to generate scientific baseline data on prenatal development of teeth in goat. The mammalian dentition is classified as heterodont dentition because the teeth develop differently in each region of the mouth according to their use and are grouped into incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. For the present investigation, a total of 42 representative goat fetuses were taken and they were prepared for incisor block and hemisections of head. After preparation, they were radiographed in dorso-ventral and latero-medial projection, respectively. The sequential progression of development of deciduous incisors was found as Di1, Di2, Di3, Di4. The beginning of crown formation was detected at the 12th, 13th, 14th, and 15th week for Di1, Di2, Di3 and Di4 in goat fetuses, respectively. The complete crown formation and beginning of root formation were detected at 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st weeks for Di1, Di2, Di3 and Di4, respectively. All deciduous incisor teeth had roots at different stages of development at full term, but none had fully developed. The current investigation found bilateral symmetry in the development of the goat fetuses' deciduous incisor teeth. No radiological evidence was found to support the development of permanent incisor teeth in the upper and lower jaw or upper deciduous incisors. The scientific baseline data generated from the present study on various radiographic developmental stages of deciduous incisor teeth could be utilized as a guideline to estimate age in goat fetuses from the 12th week to full term. The present investigation revealed bilateral symmetry in deciduous incisor teeth development in goat fetuses. There was no any radiographic indication for development of upper deciduous incisors as well as permanent incisor teeth in the upper and lower jaw.