Ultrastructure and hydrolase cytochemistry of the developing marmoset yolk sac

Yolk sacs from Callithrix jacchus were investigated light and electron microscopically as well as by qualitative light microscopic enzyme histochemistry on days 35 to 126 of gestation. The thin yolk sac wall of the early stages (day 35-41) consists of the cuboid, endodermal epithelium, the mesothelium of the exocoelom and some interposed blood vessels. The inner endodermal surface is rather smooth. At later stages, the epithelium becomes highly prismatic and forms folds which are lined by a mesenchyme and blood vessels. Microvilli and a small number of endocytotic vesicles are observed at the apices of the epithelial cells, which are interconnected by gap junctions, desmosomes and interdigitations. The cytoplasm of the epithelial cells is characterized by a well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum, a large Golgi apparatus and glycogen deposits. Four different membrane-bordered types of inclusions can be distinguished in the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells: The type I and II inclusions are considered as secretion granules. Their increase and their localization in the cavities of the endoplasmic reticulum at later stages are ascribed to an inhibition of the intracellular transport at the onset of involution. The type III and IV inclusions may represent lysosomes and related organelles. Bile capillary-like spaces exist between the epithelial cells. The basement membrane is incomplete below the epithelium and absent around the capillaries, the endothelium of which is porous in certain areas. Aminopeptidase M is highly active in the plasmalemma and the bile capillary-like structures of the epithelium, dipeptidylpeptidase IV in the mesothelium and alkaline phosphatase in the blood vessel endothelium. Other membrane hydrolases are absent. Acid proteases, glycosidases, non-specific phosphatases and non-specific esterases can be detected stage-dependently with moderate to high activities in the yolk sac epithelium. Compared with other organs, the yolk sac structure and hydrolase equipment are similar to those of the liver and may, therefore, have similar functions, e.g. synthesis and secretion of proteins. In addition, however, the yolk sac epithelium might also be involved in resorptive processes of material from the lumen followed by lysosomal digestion. The Callithrix jacchus yolk sac starts involution on day 80 of gestation by disintegration of the cells. On day 100, this process is completed. The stage of involution which is late in comparison with other primates, e.g. man and Rhesus monkey, is ascribed to the strongly delayed development of Callithrix jacchus.