We report for the first time the presence of endothelial cilia in rat blood vessels. They are seen in the mesenteric arteries of hypertensive rats and the intramyocardial capillaries of aged rats. The cilia are solitary and have the shape of the "9 + 0" axonemal structure. The processes of the basal foot and the transitional fiber are accompanied by basal bodies. The function of the solitary cilia is obscure.
{"title":"Endothelial cilia in rat mesenteric arteries and intramyocardial capillaries.","authors":"M Kojimahara","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We report for the first time the presence of endothelial cilia in rat blood vessels. They are seen in the mesenteric arteries of hypertensive rats and the intramyocardial capillaries of aged rats. The cilia are solitary and have the shape of the \"9 + 0\" axonemal structure. The processes of the basal foot and the transitional fiber are accompanied by basal bodies. The function of the solitary cilia is obscure.</p>","PeriodicalId":75355,"journal":{"name":"Zeitschrift fur mikroskopisch-anatomische Forschung","volume":"104 3","pages":"412-6"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1990-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"13390181","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
On account of the rigidity and compact structure of the hyaline cartilage, unfixed or formaldehyde fixed samples of this tissue can be directly sectioned by using a conventional ultramicrotome and a glass knife. This simple method allows to obtain microscopical sections from unembedded cartilage blocks, which show a well preserved histological structure and are very suitable to carry out morphological and histochemical studies on chondrocytes and cartilaginous matrix.
{"title":"Direct sectioning of unembedded cartilage: a simple method for microscopical and histochemical studies on chondrocytes and extracellular matrix.","authors":"J C Stockert, P Del Castillo","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>On account of the rigidity and compact structure of the hyaline cartilage, unfixed or formaldehyde fixed samples of this tissue can be directly sectioned by using a conventional ultramicrotome and a glass knife. This simple method allows to obtain microscopical sections from unembedded cartilage blocks, which show a well preserved histological structure and are very suitable to carry out morphological and histochemical studies on chondrocytes and cartilaginous matrix.</p>","PeriodicalId":75355,"journal":{"name":"Zeitschrift fur mikroskopisch-anatomische Forschung","volume":"104 3","pages":"377-84"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1990-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"13390206","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
N Vidinov, V Vasilev, F Keller, W Wolff, G Leutert
The quantity and type of proteinpolysaccharide complexes in the matrix determine up to a great extent the mechanical properties of articular cartilage. It is the purpose of this study to evaluate the changes in the mentioned matrix components against the background of experimentally induced osteoarthrosis. As shown by electron microscopic and morphometric studies, the changes in the superficial layer are promptly occurring and clearcut, whereas those in the deep layers are recorded in late observation terms only. A reduction of proteoglycan quantity is noted with a simultaneous differentiation of their fine structure in the various stages of osteoarthrosis development. Initially the alteration in the cell organization of chondroblasts is associated with occurrence of differences in proteoglycan content, and subsequently--in the collagen structures of the matrix too.
{"title":"Changes in the distribution of proteinpolysaccharide complexes within the articular cartilage in experimental osteoarthrosis.","authors":"N Vidinov, V Vasilev, F Keller, W Wolff, G Leutert","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The quantity and type of proteinpolysaccharide complexes in the matrix determine up to a great extent the mechanical properties of articular cartilage. It is the purpose of this study to evaluate the changes in the mentioned matrix components against the background of experimentally induced osteoarthrosis. As shown by electron microscopic and morphometric studies, the changes in the superficial layer are promptly occurring and clearcut, whereas those in the deep layers are recorded in late observation terms only. A reduction of proteoglycan quantity is noted with a simultaneous differentiation of their fine structure in the various stages of osteoarthrosis development. Initially the alteration in the cell organization of chondroblasts is associated with occurrence of differences in proteoglycan content, and subsequently--in the collagen structures of the matrix too.</p>","PeriodicalId":75355,"journal":{"name":"Zeitschrift fur mikroskopisch-anatomische Forschung","volume":"104 1","pages":"140-6"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1990-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"13499771","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
In the Trabecula septomarginalis (Moderator band) of pig and pygmy goat regularly till to 6 arteries are found, which traverse from the interventricular septum to the M. papillarius magnus. These intramural coronary arteries (diameter 50-300 microns)--without any exception-musculoelastic intimal thickenings are recognizable, which often marked extensive and formed in the whole vessel length. It is concluded that coronary arteries enlarge in response to increasing intimal thickening and that such enlargement can prevent narrowing of the lumen. The importance of the specificities in the wall structure of the arteries in the Trabecula septomarginalis are discussed as an adaptational reaction of the vascular wall to the extraordinary stress of these small vessels.
{"title":"[Histotopographic studies of the intramural coronary arteries in the Trabecula septomarginalis of the right cardiac ventricle in swine (Sus scrofa domesticus) and dwarf goats (Capra aegagrus f. domestica)].","authors":"G Lorenz","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In the Trabecula septomarginalis (Moderator band) of pig and pygmy goat regularly till to 6 arteries are found, which traverse from the interventricular septum to the M. papillarius magnus. These intramural coronary arteries (diameter 50-300 microns)--without any exception-musculoelastic intimal thickenings are recognizable, which often marked extensive and formed in the whole vessel length. It is concluded that coronary arteries enlarge in response to increasing intimal thickening and that such enlargement can prevent narrowing of the lumen. The importance of the specificities in the wall structure of the arteries in the Trabecula septomarginalis are discussed as an adaptational reaction of the vascular wall to the extraordinary stress of these small vessels.</p>","PeriodicalId":75355,"journal":{"name":"Zeitschrift fur mikroskopisch-anatomische Forschung","volume":"104 4","pages":"607-16"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1990-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"13233112","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Luminal surface epithelial cells, excluding a few endocrine cells of the normal human rectum, were studied electron microscopically and 5 types of cells were recognized with special reference to some structure containing mucous substances. Principal-1 cells showing few tiny vesicles and Principal-2 cells containing some tiny vesicles seemed to belong to the absorptive cell group. Vesicle cells having numerous tiny vesicles, and Columnar mucous cells accompanied by numerous tiny vesicles and some round or oval mucous vacuoles, seemed to be labelled as of the secretory cell group. The common features of the epithelial columnar cells, except for the Goblet cell, were columnar shape, microvilli whose length and density had considerable variation, glycocalyceal bodies around the microvilli, and thick surface coat. Goblet cells were characterized by a goblet shape which was expanded by numerous mucous droplets. It is of special interest that 4 different types of columnar epithelial cells are recognized on the luminal surface of the normal human rectum, and that Vesicle cells and Columnar mucous cells are first observed on the luminal surface of the large intestine. Similar epithelial cells have only been reported in the crypt of the large intestine and not on the luminal surface.
{"title":"Ultrastructure of surface epithelial cells of the normal human rectum.","authors":"M Yamano, K Ono","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Luminal surface epithelial cells, excluding a few endocrine cells of the normal human rectum, were studied electron microscopically and 5 types of cells were recognized with special reference to some structure containing mucous substances. Principal-1 cells showing few tiny vesicles and Principal-2 cells containing some tiny vesicles seemed to belong to the absorptive cell group. Vesicle cells having numerous tiny vesicles, and Columnar mucous cells accompanied by numerous tiny vesicles and some round or oval mucous vacuoles, seemed to be labelled as of the secretory cell group. The common features of the epithelial columnar cells, except for the Goblet cell, were columnar shape, microvilli whose length and density had considerable variation, glycocalyceal bodies around the microvilli, and thick surface coat. Goblet cells were characterized by a goblet shape which was expanded by numerous mucous droplets. It is of special interest that 4 different types of columnar epithelial cells are recognized on the luminal surface of the normal human rectum, and that Vesicle cells and Columnar mucous cells are first observed on the luminal surface of the large intestine. Similar epithelial cells have only been reported in the crypt of the large intestine and not on the luminal surface.</p>","PeriodicalId":75355,"journal":{"name":"Zeitschrift fur mikroskopisch-anatomische Forschung","volume":"104 4","pages":"673-86"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1990-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"13233117","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The ultrastructural features of the encephalic dura mater-arachnoid borderline (interface) layer (zone) of rats, rabbits, cats and humans were studied. The rat's interface zone included the electron-lucent epithelium-like arranged fibroblasts of the inner dural layer, the rich in filaments cells of the dural neurothelium, a 20 nm wide intercellular cleft filled with electron-dense material and the dark mitochondria-rich cells of the outer arachnoidal layer; in rabbits and cats, this laminar distinction was less prominent, while in man, it was almost absent.
{"title":"Ultrastructural characteristics of the cranial dura mater-arachnoid interface layer.","authors":"D N Angelov","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The ultrastructural features of the encephalic dura mater-arachnoid borderline (interface) layer (zone) of rats, rabbits, cats and humans were studied. The rat's interface zone included the electron-lucent epithelium-like arranged fibroblasts of the inner dural layer, the rich in filaments cells of the dural neurothelium, a 20 nm wide intercellular cleft filled with electron-dense material and the dark mitochondria-rich cells of the outer arachnoidal layer; in rabbits and cats, this laminar distinction was less prominent, while in man, it was almost absent.</p>","PeriodicalId":75355,"journal":{"name":"Zeitschrift fur mikroskopisch-anatomische Forschung","volume":"104 6","pages":"982-90"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1990-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"13251727","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
In the region of the base of the intestinal crypts undifferentiated goblet cells display a configuration and constellation of organelles and membrane structures that are indicative of their importance for function. These images at this stage of development deliver a scenario of the mechanism of secretory granule production: aggregates of protein vesicles from the "transitional elements" (PALADE) of the granular endoplasmic reticulum are, so to speak, rolled up on the trans side of the Golgi apparatus by inversion of peripheral membrane segments of the innermost Golgi lamellae, thereby forming corpuscles. The origin of the capsulated vacuoles, which contain vesicles as single elements or as conglomerates, is well established. Their capsule consists of a trilaminar external and external and internal membrane; between them lies condensed material of the Golgi apparatus. In the opinion of the present author, the development of the ensheathed vacuoles represents a basic, more general mechanism. In contrast, the further steps of synthesis, for the formation of secretory granules, are more heterogeneous. Condensation of the vesicles and the inner capsular membrane results in the formation of a prosecretory granule, which in the basic element in the process of secretory granule production. The prosecretory granules develop singly or by fusion with other granules to give primary secretory granules. The complexity of this mechanism of secretory granule formation, however, becomes evident when considering the apposition of capsulated vacuoles and prosecretory--primary--secondary secretory granules, of prosecretory and primary secretory granules as well as prosecretory granules and secondary secretory granules. Generally, primary granules show a tendency to become secondary secretory granules or to fuse with them. During maturation of the goblet cells the secretory granules fuse to form larger mucous bodies in the theca by fusion of the laminae of the membranes; a final product, there is a homogeneous mucous mass devoid of membranes.
{"title":"[The cytomorphology of goblet cells of the fetal intestine. Studies of the large intestine of cattle (Bos primigenius taurus)].","authors":"K H Wille","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In the region of the base of the intestinal crypts undifferentiated goblet cells display a configuration and constellation of organelles and membrane structures that are indicative of their importance for function. These images at this stage of development deliver a scenario of the mechanism of secretory granule production: aggregates of protein vesicles from the \"transitional elements\" (PALADE) of the granular endoplasmic reticulum are, so to speak, rolled up on the trans side of the Golgi apparatus by inversion of peripheral membrane segments of the innermost Golgi lamellae, thereby forming corpuscles. The origin of the capsulated vacuoles, which contain vesicles as single elements or as conglomerates, is well established. Their capsule consists of a trilaminar external and external and internal membrane; between them lies condensed material of the Golgi apparatus. In the opinion of the present author, the development of the ensheathed vacuoles represents a basic, more general mechanism. In contrast, the further steps of synthesis, for the formation of secretory granules, are more heterogeneous. Condensation of the vesicles and the inner capsular membrane results in the formation of a prosecretory granule, which in the basic element in the process of secretory granule production. The prosecretory granules develop singly or by fusion with other granules to give primary secretory granules. The complexity of this mechanism of secretory granule formation, however, becomes evident when considering the apposition of capsulated vacuoles and prosecretory--primary--secondary secretory granules, of prosecretory and primary secretory granules as well as prosecretory granules and secondary secretory granules. Generally, primary granules show a tendency to become secondary secretory granules or to fuse with them. During maturation of the goblet cells the secretory granules fuse to form larger mucous bodies in the theca by fusion of the laminae of the membranes; a final product, there is a homogeneous mucous mass devoid of membranes.</p>","PeriodicalId":75355,"journal":{"name":"Zeitschrift fur mikroskopisch-anatomische Forschung","volume":"104 6","pages":"801-25"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1990-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"13251795","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Various problems concerning the physiology of muscular units depend on the exact localization of motoneurons innervating antagonistically acting muscles. The present communication is focussed on the distribution of motoneurons innervating the gastrocnemius (GC) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles. After injection of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into these muscles and a survival time ensuring sufficient retrograde transport, the number of motoneurons, their segmental distribution, the mean area covered the labeled cells and the mean diameter of their somata were determined. After injections into the GC-muscle, 129 +/- 6 labeled perikarya were found, and following injections into the TA-muscle, 120 +/- 9 motoneurons were marked with HRP. The motoneurons of both muscles were distributed in spinal cord segments L4-5-6; however, the GC-neurons accumulated in segments L5-6 (approximately 94%) and the TA-neurons in L4-5 (approximately 95%). Although the motoneurons innervating both muscles were located in a rather similar area of the ventral column, i.e. its dorsolateral portion as judged from transverse sections, the GC-motoneurons were situated ventrolaterally to the TA-motoneurons. The measurement of the area of the somata and the mean soma diameter did not reveal any conspicuous differences between both pools of motoneurons. An unimodal distribution pattern of these parameters suggests a broad overlap in the size of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-motoneurons.
{"title":"Columnar arrangement of lumbar motoneurons innervating a pair of antagonistically acting leg muscles in the rat.","authors":"J F Staiger, F Nürnberger","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Various problems concerning the physiology of muscular units depend on the exact localization of motoneurons innervating antagonistically acting muscles. The present communication is focussed on the distribution of motoneurons innervating the gastrocnemius (GC) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles. After injection of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into these muscles and a survival time ensuring sufficient retrograde transport, the number of motoneurons, their segmental distribution, the mean area covered the labeled cells and the mean diameter of their somata were determined. After injections into the GC-muscle, 129 +/- 6 labeled perikarya were found, and following injections into the TA-muscle, 120 +/- 9 motoneurons were marked with HRP. The motoneurons of both muscles were distributed in spinal cord segments L4-5-6; however, the GC-neurons accumulated in segments L5-6 (approximately 94%) and the TA-neurons in L4-5 (approximately 95%). Although the motoneurons innervating both muscles were located in a rather similar area of the ventral column, i.e. its dorsolateral portion as judged from transverse sections, the GC-motoneurons were situated ventrolaterally to the TA-motoneurons. The measurement of the area of the somata and the mean soma diameter did not reveal any conspicuous differences between both pools of motoneurons. An unimodal distribution pattern of these parameters suggests a broad overlap in the size of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-motoneurons.</p>","PeriodicalId":75355,"journal":{"name":"Zeitschrift fur mikroskopisch-anatomische Forschung","volume":"104 1","pages":"79-86"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1990-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"13498262","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Single doses of anticancer drug biocarbazine (BC)--DTIC synonym--were injected intraperitoneally at 50 and 200 mg/kg body weight to sexually mature BALB/c mice. Among other features previously reported (Martinova et al. 1989) BC causes ultrastructural alterations in spermatogonia and spermatocytes significantly expressed after administration of higher dose. In addition BC induces some defects in acrosome formation of early spermatids in Golgi and cap phase, while spermatids in later stages of maturation showed marked resistance to BC treatment.
将单剂量抗癌药物生物氨基脲(BC) (DTIC的同义词)按50和200 mg/kg体重腹腔注射给性成熟的BALB/c小鼠。在先前报道的其他特征中(Martinova et al. 1989),在给药较高剂量后,BC引起精原细胞和精母细胞的超微结构改变。此外,在高尔基期和帽期,BC诱导了早期精子顶体形成的一些缺陷,而成熟后期的精子对BC的抗性明显。
{"title":"Ultrastructural alterations in mouse spermatogenic cells after treatment with anticancer drug biocarbazine.","authors":"Y S Martinova, D B Nikolova","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Single doses of anticancer drug biocarbazine (BC)--DTIC synonym--were injected intraperitoneally at 50 and 200 mg/kg body weight to sexually mature BALB/c mice. Among other features previously reported (Martinova et al. 1989) BC causes ultrastructural alterations in spermatogonia and spermatocytes significantly expressed after administration of higher dose. In addition BC induces some defects in acrosome formation of early spermatids in Golgi and cap phase, while spermatids in later stages of maturation showed marked resistance to BC treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":75355,"journal":{"name":"Zeitschrift fur mikroskopisch-anatomische Forschung","volume":"104 6","pages":"969-74"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1990-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"13251799","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Following induction of diabetes by a single injection of (IP) streptozotocin (STZ) to pregnant Wistar rats on days 2, 4 and 6 to 12 of gestation, fetuses and placentae were collected on day 20. The controls were either untreated or vehicle treated; alternatively following STZ injection, 2-6 IU of insulin was administered (sc) daily until term. The placentae were fixed in a glutaraldehyde and paraformaldehyde mixture and ultrathin sections were examined under the electron microscope. The structure of the vehicle treated control resembled that of the untreated control. The insulin control group had pathological changes similar to those of the diabetic group but with considerably less frequency. The giant cells in the basal zone of STZ group were numerous; they had abundant dilated cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum, intracytoplasmic fibrinoid and nuclear inclusions. The trophospongial cells presented numerous clear vacuoles, lysosomes and myelin bodies. Enlarged vacuoles often impinged deeply on the nucleus. The glycogen cells disintegrated resulting in cyst formation. In the labyrinthine zone, layer I trophoblast revealed increased number of large pores through which layer II trophoblast projected into the maternal sinusoid. Layer II had abundant glycogen, lipid droplets and lysosomes. Layer III had imbibed much fluid and appeared foamy with swollen organelles. Fibrinoid substance was produced by the giant cells, basophils and the trophoblast bordering the maternal sinusoids. Cyst development was preceded by degeneration of glycogen cells in the basal zone and of the trophoblast in the labyrinthine zone. Pronounced development of gonadotropin/somatotropin granule-like 'secretory granules' and smooth endoplasmic reticulum associated lipid droplets also characterised the labyrinthine trophoblast. The observed placental pathology appears to correlate well with the intrauterine growth retardation and fetal malformations recorded in this animal model.
{"title":"Ultrastructural studies on the placentae of streptozotocin induced maternal diabetes in the rat.","authors":"R Padmanabhan, A G al-Zuhair","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Following induction of diabetes by a single injection of (IP) streptozotocin (STZ) to pregnant Wistar rats on days 2, 4 and 6 to 12 of gestation, fetuses and placentae were collected on day 20. The controls were either untreated or vehicle treated; alternatively following STZ injection, 2-6 IU of insulin was administered (sc) daily until term. The placentae were fixed in a glutaraldehyde and paraformaldehyde mixture and ultrathin sections were examined under the electron microscope. The structure of the vehicle treated control resembled that of the untreated control. The insulin control group had pathological changes similar to those of the diabetic group but with considerably less frequency. The giant cells in the basal zone of STZ group were numerous; they had abundant dilated cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum, intracytoplasmic fibrinoid and nuclear inclusions. The trophospongial cells presented numerous clear vacuoles, lysosomes and myelin bodies. Enlarged vacuoles often impinged deeply on the nucleus. The glycogen cells disintegrated resulting in cyst formation. In the labyrinthine zone, layer I trophoblast revealed increased number of large pores through which layer II trophoblast projected into the maternal sinusoid. Layer II had abundant glycogen, lipid droplets and lysosomes. Layer III had imbibed much fluid and appeared foamy with swollen organelles. Fibrinoid substance was produced by the giant cells, basophils and the trophoblast bordering the maternal sinusoids. Cyst development was preceded by degeneration of glycogen cells in the basal zone and of the trophoblast in the labyrinthine zone. Pronounced development of gonadotropin/somatotropin granule-like 'secretory granules' and smooth endoplasmic reticulum associated lipid droplets also characterised the labyrinthine trophoblast. The observed placental pathology appears to correlate well with the intrauterine growth retardation and fetal malformations recorded in this animal model.</p>","PeriodicalId":75355,"journal":{"name":"Zeitschrift fur mikroskopisch-anatomische Forschung","volume":"104 2","pages":"212-30"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1990-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"13371473","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}