Rasoul Rahimzadeh - Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanadaj, Iran.

Objective - The aims of this study were to determine the approximate radiographic closure time of the growth plates of the fore and hind limbs of Marghoz goat as a small breed of goat is distributed over the western and North-West of Iran near to the Turkey and Iraqi borders and to compare these closure times with those previously published.Design- Experimental studyAnimals- ۲۰ healthy Marghoz goats.Procedures- In order to study the fore and hind limbs, The ۲۰ goats, which have been determined to be healthy by clinical examination, were divided into two groups (۱۰ males, ۱۰ females). They were selected from ۱۰ days after their birth until the growth plates of anterior, posterior and back bones were closed. For the purpose of this study, the growth plates were classified as fully open and fully closed, in order of advancing fusion of the growth plate.Results- The earliest closure time of the proximal growth plate of male was detected in the ۱۲th month of the study. The closure time of all growth plates in the forelimbs in females was fond to be ended in the ۱۳th month and in males in the ۱۶th month were closed; closure time of growth plates for hind limbs in females was in the ۱۵th month and in male was in the ۱۸th month. The latest closure took place in the ۲۶ month and the study was terminated. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance- Radiological imaging is an effective method in demonstrating ossification centers and determining the age of epiphyseal closure.

Radiography, Growth plates, Closure time, Marghoz Goat, Appendicular skeleton