Sympathetic neurons of the cat stellate ganglion in postnatal ontogenesis: morphometric analysis

Basic morphometric parameters (the maximal diameter, cross-sectional area), the distribution density of neurons were determined in the zones of the emergence of the basic nerves and in the center of the stellate ganglion (SG) in newborn, 10-, 20-day-old as well as 1- and 2-month-old kittens. Most of the investigated neurons in all animals were oval in their profile. In parallel to the increase of the average diameters, the number of small neurons decreased and the percentage of large neurons increased in postnatal ontogenesis. In all kittens, neurons with larger average size were located in the cranial pole of the ganglion. In 10-day-old kittens and older animals, the average size of neurons was more in the left SG in comparison to the right one. Only in 1-month-old kittens the density of location of neurons in the right ganglion exceeded such parameters of neurons located at the left side. The number of neurons in the SG was not constant in postnatal ontogenesis and reduced from newborn to 20-day-old animals.