Histochemische und elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen an den Riesenzellen der Rattenplacenta

Summary

In the giant cells of the rat placenta during the l6th–l8th day of gestation, the authors observed a large amount of sudanophile material, which, however, is absent in the other layers of the placenta. By specific histochemical methods this material revealed to be mainly composed of cholesterol. Not all giant cells, however, gave positive reaction to such a substance. There is evidence to distinguish two types of giant cells. Investigations of the cholesterol-rich giant cells by electron microscope revealed that these elements were, from the ultrastructural point of view, very active for they presented a smooth endoplasmic reticulum remarkably developed, and, above all, an elevated number of mitochondria of tubular type, numerous multivesicular elements, membrane whorls, myelin-figures and fine lipid droplets. These ultrastructural findings make these particular elements remarkably resemble that of the other cells in which steroidosynthesis takes effect. On the basis of these findings the authors submit that at the level of these placental giant cells it verifies a steroidosynthesis activity starting from cholesterol. The authors submit also that these rat giant cells are derived from the decidua.