RESUMO
This investigation was conducted on 62 male goat embryos and fetuses, ranged 1.5 - 42 cm CVRL. Up to 2.5 cm CVRL, the core of indifferent gonads showed numerous parenchymal and gonadal germ cells tending to form small clusters and short gonadal cords. The testes of fetuses up to 8 cm CVRL were covered by one layer of cuboidal cells showing stratifications at some areas. At 34 cm CVRL, the primitive tunica albuginea was formed of few layers of elongated cells parallel to the testicular surface. On reaching the late developmental stages of fetuses [30 - 42 cm CVRL], the tunica albuginea was formed of an outer fibrous layer and an inner vascular one. The primitive testicular cords were formed at 2.9 cm CVRL, as a continuation to the gonadal ones. In fetuses of 14 cm CVRL, the pericordal region of interstitium formed spindle shaped cells representing the future myoid cells, while the central one contained the developing interstitial cells of Leydig. As the development proceeded, degenerated gonocytes appeared besides intact ones. At the late stages of fetal life, the developing testicular cords exhibited large rounded cells, intact gonocytes and supporting cells of Sertoli. The immature interstitial endocrine cells were firstly recognized at 4 cm CVRL male goat fetuses. At 22 - 26 cm CVRL more advanced activity was observed where, the interstitial endocrine cells of Leydig were filled with intense PAS-positive acidophilic granules. At 32 cm CVRL, most of Leydig cells underwent retrogressive changes. Many blood capillaries were extended into the interstitium among the developing Leydig cells along the prenatal development