Histological and histochemical studies on the heart of prepubertal and adult local goat

The present study was conducted to explore the histological & histochemical studies on the heart of 6 pre pubertal and 6 adult normal healthy goats (Capra hircus). The position of heart was in the middle mediastinal space of thoracic cavity. The heart weight in relation to body weight was maximum in the prepubertal group and minimum in the adult group. Histological investigation showed that in the atrial wall superficial and deep cardiac muscle fibers make muscular arches in the atrium proper. The middle layer was the thickest of three distinct fiber zones visible in the ventricular myocardium. The wall of left ventricle was thicker than the right ventricle. The cardiac valves are flap of endocardium. According to histochemcial analysis collagen fibres was seen surrounding the blood vessels in the atrium, whereas elastic and collagen fibres were more widely distributed in the ventricles. There was weak to moderate PAS positive materials found in the blood vessels, atrium, ventricles and atrioventricular cusp. Metachromasia was observed in both the atria and ventricles. DNA content of nuclei of the atria stained moderately in both the age groups.