Morphology and position of growth cones in the developing Xenopus spinal cord

Axonal growth cones in longitudinal fiber tracts of the developing spinal cord of Xenopus were examined using electron microscopy. Fiber tracts of the spinal cord develop by the ingrowth of fibers, into pre-existing longitudinally oriented spaces between adjacent neuroepithelial cells of the neural tube. Growth cones seen among the neurites of the tracts were identified by their generally larger size (1.2 X 4.5 micrometer), bulbous and irregular outlines, and cytoplasmic components. Overall cytoplasmic density was usually less than that of surrounding neuroepithelial cells and axons. They contained few organelles, among them assorted clear and densecored vesicles, agranular reticulum, and occasional mitochondria and autographic vacuoles. Microtubules were rarely present. Growth cones appeared to conform in outline to the space which they occupied. Smaller extensions which resembled the filopodia described by others insinuated themselves among other elements of the fiber fascicles. The filopodia contained a fine granular or filamentous feltwork. Growth cones consistently appeared at the interface of other axons in the fascicle and the peripheral neuroepithelial endfeet. In longitudinal sections of fascicles containing more than one growth cone, the growth cones were layered in a pattern suggesting that new cones are added by pushing between the next youngest fibers and the peripheral neuroepithelial processes of the cord. The possible significance of this finding in the achievement of order in the spinal tracts is discussed.