Morphogenesis and growth of the soft tissue and cartilage of the vomeronasal organ in pigs.

The morphology of the soft tissue and supporting cartilage of the vomeronasal organ of the fetal pig was studied from early stages to term. Specimens obtained from an abattoir were aged by crown-to-rump distance. Series of transverse sections show that some time before birth all structures--cartilage, connective tissue, blood vessels, nerves, glands and epithelia--are well developed and very similar in appearance to those of the adult. Furthermore, in transmission electron microscopy photomicrographs obtained at this stage the vomeronasal glands exhibit secretory activity.