studies on the prenatal development of testis in goat (Capra hircus). Int. J. Morphol., 30(4):1408-1421, 2012. SUMMARY:The study has been conducted on the prenatal development of testis on 70 goat embryo/foeti, categorized into group-I (0-30 days), Group-II (31-60 days), Group-III (61-90 days), Group-IV (91-120 days) and group V (121days-till birth), having 14 embryos/ foeti in each group. The genital ridge was observed at 23 days of gestation. It contained an accumulation of mesenchymal cells, immature RBC's, differentiating fibroblasts and primordial germ cells. The formation of sex cords was evidenced on 44 th day of gestation. It contained small mesenchymal cells and large cells arranged in a chain like manner. The convolution of the sex cords started between 61-90 days of gestation, which increased with the increase in the gestation period and at 125 day of gestation few sex cords attained the form of reverse question mark. The sustentocytes (Sertoli cells) were observed among the small cells of sex cords at 56 th day of gestation. The tunica albuginia appeared just beneath the germinal epithelium at 44 th day of gestation. It consisted of 2-4 layers of mesenchymal cells, fibroblasts and small capillaries. The thickness of tunica albuginia increased with the increase in the age of foetus and between 61-90 days of gestation, the outer thick fibrous and inner thin vascular layer could be demarcated separately. Few mesenchymal cells start differentiating into interstititial endocrine cells (Leydig cells) located in the interstitial spaces at 44 th day of gestation.

SUMMARY:A study was conducted on 70 embryo/ foetii of goats to observe the descent of testis. These foetii were grouped into I (0-30 days), II (31-60 days), III (61-90 days), IV (91-120days) and V (121 days up to term, having 14 embryos/ foetii in each group. The genital ridge was observed at 1.2cm CRL (23 day) on the ventromedial aspect of mesonephros. At 42 nd day, the genital ridge developed into cylindrical structure, the testis, located in the middle of metanephros. The abdominal migration was completed upto 88 th day. The testes were situated in the inguinal canal from 89 th to 95 th day. From 90 th day onward, scrotal migration had been observed, however the testis did not reach the base of the scrotum up to term. During the descent of testis, a peritoneal fold detached from the caudal end of the gonad and extended up-to the abdominal floor on 42 nd day, known as gubernaculum. In the initial stages of pregnancy it was thin, whitish, jelly like. On 70 th day it was enveloped by processus vaginalis. In group V, it became hardened, longer and cord like.