Objective: Our objective in this study was to investigate ultrastructure of endothelial and muscle cells of human umbilical vessels.
Methods: Ten umbilical cords were used for this study. These cords represented periods of gestation from sixteen weeks to full-term. The specimens were fixed in 5 % buffered glutaraldehyde for four hours at 4oC. The sections were postfixed for two hours in a solution of 1% osmium tetroxide prepared with Millonig phosphate buffer. Sections were dehydrated in ethanol and propylene oxide and then embedded in araldite. They were stained with uranyl acetate, examined electron microscopically.
Results:Rod- shaped bodies were observed in the arterial endothelium in the early stage as described by Weibel-Palade. Large numbers of mitochondria and increased lipid and vacuoli structures and also increased Weibel-Palade bodies were noted in full-term. Characteristics of the muscle cells of the umbilical vein were that while crystalized structures of mitochondria were prominent at sixteen weeks, these structures were degenerated at full-term, and myelin figures were observed.
Conclusion:The endothelial and muscle cells of the umbilical vessels from early stage to full-term showed morphological changes.
Key words: Ultrastructure, Umbilical Artery, Vein
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