The histological development oi the goat stomach during
the ioetal dhd early neonatal period was studied.
At B cm CVR length the ruminal and reticular mucosae were
smooth and covered with stratified columnar pithelium, how-
ever the omasal mucosa was thrown into various folds. The
abomasum beared a longitudinally folded mucosa and was
lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium. The prlmordie
oi the reticular folds were observed as early as 22 cm CVR
length. However. the primary elements oi the omasal laminae
were pronounced at 25 cm CVR length. The gastric glands
started to develop at 25 cm CVR length. The parietal, chief,
and mucous neck cells could be recognized in foetuses of
33 cm CVR length. The gastric epithelium domonstrated abund-
ant mocopolysaccharids during the early periods oi intrauterine
liie. However, at the end of gestation and in newborn goats
the gastric epithelium contained much fewer amount oi these
materials. In 3 day-old gbats, the gastric mucosae simulated
that oi afult animals.