Distribution of iron in pig placenta (Sus scrofa dom. L.)

Iron distribution was studied in pig placentae between 21 day till the end of pregnancy (113) with the use of histochemical and cytochemical methods and X-ray microanalysis. Iron content was measured in fetal and maternal part of the placenta with chemical methods. Iron presence was confirmed in maternal and fetal erythrocytes, cells and secretion of uterine glands and trace amount in trophoblast lining regular areolae. No significant differences were found in iron content in fetal and maternal part of the placenta throughout the entire studied period. With the applied histochemical method of iron determination according to Perls, potassium ferrocyanide also adsorbs in sites where mucopolysaccharides are present, in which iron presence has not been detected with the use of X-ray microanalysis.