DEVELOPMENT OF HAIR AND OTHER EXTERNAL FEATURES IN PRENATAL ZEBU CATTLE AS AIDS IN FETAL AGEING

Abstract

THE sequence and rate of hair growth studied in 150 fetuses, 100 to 231 days of age, from slaughtered Rahaji, Bunaji and Wadara cows. Initial appearance of the following external features were observed in embryo and fetuses from day 24 to 230 gestation: limb buds, mammary ridge, olfactory pits, eyes, eyelids, facial closure, intradigital grooves, ear pinnae, genital tubercle, teats, scrotum, testicular descent, hoof formation, boro buds, teeth eruption, fusion of hard palate, carpal and patella separation, and meconium detection, pattern of hair growth was founded to be indecisive as an aid to ageing Zebu fetuses. Initial appearance of certain external features could serve as a rough but quick ageing guide.