The Golgi Material of the Neurones of the Central Nervous System of Sheep Infected with Louping-ill

ABSTRACT 1. The Golgi material of the pyramidal cells of the cerebral cortex, the Purkinje cells of the cerebellum, and the multipolar cells of the medulla oblongata and ventral horns of the spinal cord of the sheep is present as filaments and as irregularly shaped bodies. In some of the cells, particularly in the lamb (Sheep V), the Golgi material has the appearance of a network. As it is frequently present as separate bodies it is suggested that it may always consist of discrete Golgi elements which are sometimes situated in close proximity or in contact with one another. Filamentous Golgi elements are present in the basal part of the cell processes. 2. An examination of neurones from the corresponding regions of the central nervous system of sheep infected experimentally with louping-ill showed that the Golgi material undergoes changes consequent upon the invasion of the cells by the virus. The Golgi material undergoes hypertrophy, and at the same time there is a reduction in the number of filamentous Golgi elements and a reduction in the amount of Golgi substance present in the cell processes. These changes are followed by fragmentation. All the neurones of a particular region are not affected equally at the same time. The Golgi material of the Purkinje cells tends to form groups in the cytoplasm prior to fragmentation. In the multipolar cells of the medulla oblongata the hypertrophy of the Golgi material is not as great as in the other regions of the central nervous system. The Golgi material of the motor nerve-cells of the ventral horns of the spinal cord undergoes considerable hypertrophy which is followed by a grouping of the Golgi elements and fragmentation.