MICROMETRICAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE SPINAL CORD OF GOAT FOETUSES

Micrometrical studies during the prenatal development of spinal cord in goat revealed that the cervical enlargement had the maximum height at all ages, with maximum gray matter and dorsal horn height except at fifth month, where it was at the Iumbosacral enlargement. The maximum ventral horn height was also seen at the enlargements. Sparing a few exceptions, the percentage contribution of gray matter height, dorsal horn height and ventral horn height to the total spinal cord height showed a decreasing trend during gestation owing to a corresponding increase in the ventral funiculus. The gray matter height expressed as percentage of spinal cord height, was maximum at the Iumbosacral enlargement. The greatest values for total width of spinal cord and distance from central canal to spinal cord left margin varied between cervical and Iumbosacral enlargements at different stages of gestation. The total width of spinal cord was greater than the height during gestation except in the thoracic region during second month. Dorsal and ventral horns were wider at enlargements. The percentage of gray matter width decreased after third month of gestation indicating a comparative increase in the growth of lateral funiculus during later stages of gestation. Vertical gray matter percentage decreased after second month indicating an early growth of ventral funiculus.