Development of the ventral striatum in the lizard Gallotia galloti.

The ventral striatum nucleus (VS) begins development at Stage 31 (E. 31) from the neuroblasts which proceed from the cellular proliferation of both the ventral and terminal sulci. The ultrastructural features of the neuroblasts of VS between E. 31 and E. 34 have the aspect of immature cells, but as from E. 38 neuronal maturity is gradual until hatching. At E. 34 cellular death occurs. The first degenerated cells belong to Type I (nuclear degeneration) of the pycnotic cells; as from E. 40 cytoplasmic degeneration appears. Vascularisation starts at E. 35 and from E. 38 the first synaptic contacts are observed, especially those of the axodendritic type.