Glycogen in the epithelium of the bovine fetal rumen.

Electron-microscopic observation of bovine fetal rumen reveals that the distribution and structure of glycogen are modified during fetal development. Both basal and superficial cells increase their glycogen content in fetuses up to 6 months of age. In older fetuses, the epithelial glycogen content diminishes. These morphological changes resemble the perinatal metabolic changes occurring in other organs.