Development of the rumen of fetuses and neonates in Korean native goats

한국재래산양의 태아 및 신생아의 제1위 발달에 관하여

The development of rumen in fetuses between 60, 90, 120 days of gestation and neonates of Korean native goats was investigated by light, scanning electron microscopy. The results were summarized as follows; 1. In the 60-day-old fetuses, the stomach was developed and differentiated into four compartments of rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum. The ruminal epithelial layers were differentiated into two zones; a small dark basal and a large light luminar zones. 2. In the 90-day-old fetuses, the light luminar zone of the rumen was 6-12 times thicker than the dark zone. 3. In the 120-day-old fetuses, the wall of the rumen had increased in thickness, and its the mucosa was still smooth. Several undulations of various depths involving the basal zone, basement membrane and lamina propria were observed at irregular within the light zone. 4. In the neonate, the wall of the rumen had increased in thickness and the luminar surface had become wavy due to the appearance of several shallow furrows in the luminar surface of the epithelium especially between the tips of the relatively more developed undulations. 5. Scanning electron microscopic studies: In the 90-day-old fetuses, numerous microvilli and microridges were observed on the superficial epithelial layer of the rumen. The ruminal papillae were already formed at 120 days of gestation. In the 120-day-old fetuses, the ruminal papillae formed short dome-shape. In the neonate, the ruminal papillae formed pebble-shape or short finger like.