Prenatal changes in the nucleus dorsalis of spinal cord in goats

Prenatal development of nucleus dorsalis of spinal cord gray matter in goat was studied using 52 foetuses of various ages. The nucleus dorsalis began to appear as a clustering of cells in the intermediate gray matter of the thoracic spinal cord by 48 days. It was seen as an indistinct column at the lateral aspect of the central canal by 62 days of gestation, from the level of eighth cervical spinal cord segment extending backwards up to the fourth lumbar segment. The cell column became clearly distinct by 81 days of gestation at the anterior lumbar region. The column was well developed from the level of tenth thoracic to second lumbar segments. By fourth month, the nucleus of the neurons of this column became eccentrally placed and Nissl bodies appeared in the cytoplasm indicating the attainment of optimum functional status.