Extent of the Glycogen Body and the Glycogen Content of the Chicken Spinal Cord

Abstract

An attempt was made to clarify the craniocaudal extent of the glycogen body and the distribution of different type of glycogen, and to determine the glycogen content of the chicken spinal cord. The classically designated "glycogen body" was located in segments 26 to 28 and lay between the dorsal funiculi, occupying the greatly enlarged dorsal fissure. The glycogen body extended cranially and caudally beyond the above-mentioned segments to the cord levels. Different types of glycogen were heavily accumulated in the major marginal nuclei, the ventral margin of the lumbosacral cord and the lower coccygeal cord. The total glycogen content was 47.2 mg on the average in the chicken spinal cord. Glycogen contents were determined in cervical cord, thoracic cord, lumbosacral-coccygeal cord, except segments 26 to 28, and segments 26 to 28. In the first three structures glycogen was mostly contained in the glycogen body, and the glycogen concentration much lower than in segments 26 to 28. The total amount of glycogen, however, was essentially the same in the first three structures as in segments 26 to 28.