Microscopic Study of Bulbus oculi in Aleppo (Damascus) goat
Abstract
The eye is one of the most complex and essential sensory organs, responsible for perceiving environmental stimuli. This study aimed to histologically examine the eye structure of the Aleppo (Damascus) goat (Capra hiscus), a breed widely raised in the Eastern Mediterranean and Southeastern Anatolia regions for milk and meat production. Twenty eyeballs (bulbus oculi) were collected from 10 adult goats (5 males and 5 females) and processed using standard histological methods. The examination revealed the presence of the three main ocular tunics: the fibrous tunic (sclera and cornea), the vascular tunic (choroid, ciliary body, and iris), and the nervous tunic (retina). The sclera consisted of three layers episcera, substantia propria, and lamina fusca, with abundant collagen fibers and melanocytes. The cornea was characterized by a non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, Bowman’s layer, collagenous stroma, Descemet’s membrane, and an endothelium. Schlemm’s canal and trabecular meshwork were identified at the sclerocorneal junction. The choroid contained five distinct layers, including a tapetum fibrosum composed of organized collagen bundles but lacking melanocytes. The ciliary body and iris exhibited a bilayered epithelium and well- developed smooth muscle structures. The retina consisted of ten layers, consistent with other mammalian species, and no significant histological differences were observed between male and female goats. This study provides a foundational histological reference for the Aleppo goat eye and may contribute to future clinical and experimental studies involving ocular health and comparative anatomy.
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References
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