Radiological and Histological Assessment of the Ossification Centers of Pectoral Limb in Pigeon

The growth and differentiation of skeletal pectoral limb girdle, wing and the ossification centers in these regions after hatching were investigated in pigeons.

The aim of this study was to determine the age of physical maturity and radiological and histological assessment of the ossification centers of pectoral limb in quail.

Fourteen pigeons after hatching were reared in similar and standard conditions and sampled once every 7 to 90 days.

According to radiological and histological results, scapula, clavicle, and coracoid were observed after 7th and sternum at 14th day in all specimens. Bones of the humerus, hadius, hlna, hetacarpus II, hetacarpus III, hetacarpus IV, and proximal phalanx of digit III were observed after the 7th  day and radial carpal bone, ulnar carpal bone, proximal phalanx of digit II, distal phalanx of digit II, and distal phalanx of digit III at the 14th  day and head of humerus, ventral tubercle of humerus, phalanx of digit IV, and dorsal tubercle of humerus at 21st and ventral condyle of humerus and dorsal condyle of humerus at 28th. The histological results were evaluated based on prepared tissue sample from the proximal humeral portion. Lack of bone marrow was observed in all 1st day`s tissue samples and bone marrow conformation was commenced after the 7th day. The growth plate was not observed in all the samples and this issue is complementary to the information obtained from radiographic examination.

According to this study, time taken to complete the ossification process and the formation of all parts of pectoral limb girdle and wing is 28 days after hatching.