[Morphology and histogenesis of the colliculi rostrales in cattle]

Based upon macroscopic and light microscopic examinations the development of the superior colliculus of bovine embryos and fetuses with crown-rump lengths (CRL) ranging from 0.8 to 90.0 cm was studied. Macroscopically, the mesencephalon can be recognized for the first time at 0.8 cm CRL, whereas the superior colliculus can be clearly differentiated in embryos of 4.5 cm CRL. The macroscopic features of this brain area have reached adult conditions at 80.0 cm CRL. The light microscopic examination reflected the beginning of layer formation at 0.8 cm CRL, which is induced by the proliferating activity of the ventricular zone. Up to 3.4 cm CRL the primordium of the tectum opticum exhibits still a trilaminate pattern (ventricular-intermediate- and marginal zone), but at 4.5 cm CRL, the formation of the specific tectal layers is marked by the origin of the stratum profundum and intermedium. With the appearance of the tenth layer named stratum opticum at 8.0 cm CRL the laminar pattern corresponds to the characteristics of adult animals.