Some observations on dermis development in fetal porcine skin

The study describes dermis development in fetal porcine skin between 40 d GA and birth. The first fibroblast arrangement occurs about 47 d GA, while between 60-65 d GA the first fibres are visible. They can be identified as collagen about 67 d GA, somewhat later the dermis shows 2 strata. At the end of median gestional life, the first birefringent lattice pattern of collagen fibre bundles is formed. The first elastic fibres cannot be demonstrated before 100 d GA.A clear increase in fibrocyte numbers occurs about 70-80 d GA, the next one at birth. The thickness development of the fetal porcine dermis is closely correlated with the increase in body weight. Additionally RNA and glycogen content developments have been studied in the fetal dermis.