CHANGES IN THE TERMINATION OF SPINAL-CORD AT VERTEBRAL LEVELS DURING PRENATAL AND POSTNATAL-DEVELOPMENT OF SHEEP

The site of termination of spinal cord in respect of the vertebral level was studied during the pre- and postnatal development in both sexes of local Iranian sheep. The changes in the termination of spinal cord were observed with the age of the animal. In early life of 3 months gestation, the maximum termination was at the level of caudal third of the third sacral vertebra and then it went on changing with the advancement of age during pre- and Postnatal life even upto adult age of the animal. In the adult sheep, aged 1-4 years, the spinal cord terminated at the level of first and second sacral vertebrae. It was also observed that the recession of the cord was more towards caudal level in female as compared to male animals.