ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Fetal macrophages
;
Subepidermal mesenchyme (dermal tissue)
;
Rat fetus
;
Ontogeny
;
Ultrastructure
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary After about 12 days of gestation, fetal macrophages begin to appear in the subepidermal mesenchyme of rat fetuses. The macrophages are ultrastructurally characterized by cytoplasmic vacuoles, abundant polyribosomes and long filopodia. Immunocytologically, they possess Fc and complement (C3) receptors on the cell surface and are capable of immune phagocytosis, Latex or carbon phagocytosis, and glass adherence. From 15 days of gestation, lysosomal granules and miropinocytic vesicles gradually develop, together with an enlargement of Golgi complexes, whereas the number of polysomes and the number and size of cytoplasmic vacuoles are gradually reduced when gestation ends. Finally, the macrophages become amoeboid. Non-specific esterase and endogenous peroxidase activities are always absent in these macrophages. In culture experiments with cell suspensions prepared from the mesenchyme, fetal macrophages show a similar maturation process. Autoradiography with 3H-thymidine demonstrates a high proliferative capacity of the macrophages, particularly during the fetal stage.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00216427
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