Observations on the ultrastructure of the developing cerebellum of the Macaca mulatta

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Abstract
The fine structure of the cerebellar cortex of the macaque fetus was examined at 75, 100, 125, 150, and 175 days after conception. Young Purkinje cells were recognizable in the 75 and 100‐day old fetuses, occurring in clusters several layers deep. The rough endoplasmic reticulum in the Purkinje cells was limited to the perinuclear area and the region of apical cytoplasm adjacent to the plasmalemma. Neither dendritic processes nor synaptic contacts were seen on Purkinje cells at this time, although an occasional observation was made of synapses involving other cell types. Between 100 and 125 days, the cerebellar cortex matured rapidly. At the latter time, the Purkinje cells had a well developed dendrite, and axodendritic and axosomatic synapses were seen. At 150 days gestation age the Purkinje cells had well developed Nissl substance, and the axodendritic synapses were similar in structure to the adult spine contact. The relationship between maturation of the thyroid gland and of the cerebellum in the macaque is discussed.

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