The morphologic aspects of the goat placenta were the subjects of our research. Thirty adult, mixed-breed goats, from the State of Piauí (Brazil), were studied, and the models obtained by Neoprene "650" latex injection were analyzed. We found that in 17 cases (56.66%) single gestation occurred, while in 13 animals (43.33%) gemellary gestations were present. The diameter of the hilus placental area ranged from 1 to 6 centimeters. It was located in the center of the placenta, an area characterized by the presence of the umbilical pedicle. Concerning the cotyledon shape, the great majority was ovoid, although circled, elliptical, pyriform and reniform shapes were also found. The total number of cotyledons in all thirty pregnancies was 3.117, which shows an average of 104 cotyledons per gestation. In 16 cases of single gestation (94.11%), the pregnant uterine horn had a greater number of cotyledons than the contralateral one. In 7 animals with gemellary gestation (53.84%), the left uterine horn had a greater number of cotyledons than the right uterine one.
Anatomy; Placenta; Goats; Ruminants
