Anatomical Development of the Skin in Fetuses of Red Sokoto Goats (Capra Hircus)

This study on the prenatal skin development of Red Sokoto goats (RSG) examined morphological changes at various gestational stages. The skin evolved from a delicate, transparent structure in early terms to a firmer, pigmented tissue by the 3rd term. Histological analysis revealed progressive epidermal differentiation, with hair follicle formation beginning in the early 2nd term, particularly in the head and dorsal regions. Despite regional variations in follicular development, epidermal thickness remained consistent across regions and between sexes. The study highlighted increasing glycogen and glycoprotein deposition and dense connective tissue in hair bulbs and shafts, providing insights into the skin's role in thermoregulatory adaptation in RSG.