A three-dimensional study of the normal human placental villous core. I. The Hofbauer cells

In order to study the three-dimensional ultrastructure of the Hofbauer cells, human placentae from the 6th to the 21st week of gestation and also from the end of pregnancy were cryofractured and observed by scanning electron microscopy. Hofbauer cells were found in the villous core at all the gestation stages examined. Their surface morphology was characterized by lamellipodia, funnel-like structures, blebs and microplicae. This pleomorphic aspect was probably related to functional or environmental conditions. In addition, thin cytoplasmic processes connected the Hofbauer cells with each other and with the components of the villous stroma. Fractured Hofbauer cells revealed large vacuoles in the cytoplasm; the vacuoles were smaller in size both at the beginning and at the end of pregnancy. This study further attests to the macrophagic nature of these cells.