Macroscopic Development of the Scapula in Sheep (Ovis aries) During the Last Two Trimesters of Gestation

Abstract

This study investigated the morphological and morphometric development of the fetal scapula in sheep (Ovis aries). Hamdani crossbred sheep fetuses, obtained from slaughtered healthy animals in Siirt province, were used for the study. Using a formulation, gestational ages were calculated from crown-anus distance (CRL) measurements. Following careful dissection, morphometric analyses of scapula samples were conducted utilizing ImageJ software. Key measured parameters included diagonal length (DL), dorsal scapular width (SW-d), medial scapular width (SW-m), ventral scapular width (SW-v), scapular spine length (SSL), scapular cartilage width (SCW), scapular cartilage length (SCL), fossa supraspinata width (FSSW), fossa infraspinata width (FISW), and fossa subscapularis width (FSW). Results demonstrated significant and progressive increases in scapular bone dimensions and specific morphological regions with advancing fetal age. These findings will contribute significantly to the understanding of prenatal ossification processes and skeletal growth dynamics in sheep. From a clinical perspective, these data provide reference values ​​for veterinary orthopedic evaluations and further studies on animal husbandry and anatomy.