Histogenetic evolution of bovine gastric compartments during the prenatal period.

In order to carry out this study, 62 embryos and fetuses of Friesian cows were used, and every stomach was dissected and subjected to the usual laboratory procedures. After obtaining each preparation all the histological and metrical changes that took place in the wall of the viscus during its development are described. The compartments are histologically differentiated into three stages: in the first one there is no compartment differentiation: in the second one, the rumino-reticulum, omasum and abomasum have differentiated; and in the third one every compartment is differentiated. In group 16, (78 days of gestation), a decrease in thickness of the muscular layer of all compartments, parallel to the histological differentiation has been observed.