A radiographic study of growth plate closure compared with age in the Korean native goat

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study was performed to assess the growth plate closure time with aging in the Korean native goat. Radiographs of proximal and distal epiphysis of humerus, radius, ulna, femur and tibia were obtained at 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 20, 21, 30, 43 and 52 weeks after birth in 30 Korean native goats. The secondary ossification centers were scrutinized and assessed the maturity process on the basis of the criteria(stage 0 to 10). The secondary ossification centers of proximal and distal epiphysis of humerus, radius, femur and tibia and proximal ulna epiphysis appeared immediately after birth. While, that of distal ulna epiphysis appeared during the 1st to 2nd week of life. The fusion of distal humeral epiphysis occurred during the period from 8 to 12 months. The fusion of proximal radial epiphysis and distal tibial epiphysis were found at 1 year. The fusion of proximal and distal epiphysis of ulna and femur, proximal epiphysis of humerus and tibia and distal epiphysis of radius were found at 1 year or more than 1 year. As a result, growth plate closure was highly related to age in the Korean native goat and it is suggested that the estimation of animal's age might be useful by illustration of maturity process of the secondary ossification centers in the Korean native goat.