The generation of lateral motor neurons (LMNs), interneurons and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons of the cervical mouse spinal cord has been investigated by [3H]thymidine autoradiographic techniques. This investigation has two main objectives: (a) to determine on which embryonic days these three neuronal populations are born, and (b) to investigate the possibility that the neurons comprising early reflex circuits might be formed by a retrograde temporal sequencing of generation. LMNs are the first neurons generated in the cervical spinal cord. They arise between E8.8 and E11.5, and approximately 90% of these cells are born within a 36-hour period between E9 and E10.5. The earliest time of origin for interneurons is on E9.5, and those cells which are generated between E9.5 and E10.5 cluster in two distinct regions of the adult spinal cord. One of these regions is the lateral portions of laminae IV through VI; this appears to be the location of many ipsilateral association neurons. DRG neurons begin to arise on E9.5 and their generation is completed by E14. There is a trend within the DRG population for large neurons to be born before small neurons. Those cells with diameters of 40 micron or greater reach their generation peak on E10.5, while those smaller than 40 micron arise in the greatest numbers on E12. The findings of other investigations have provided evidence for a retrograde sequence of synaptic closure in the formation of the early disynaptic forelimb reflex pathway. The temporal difference in synapse formation in the terminal fields of DRG and association neurons is discussed in terms of our observation that both of these populations appear to have similar generation times. We suggest that factors responsible for the delayed synaptic closure of DRG afferents include the greater distances and the degree of collateralization which these afferents must undergo in order to establish their terminal fields. Finally, we discuss the possibility that the temporal sequence of neuronal generation and factors involved with the growth of neurites combine to produce a retrograde sequence of synaptic closure in the early disynaptic forelimb reflex pathway of mouse spinal cord.