Ultrastructural localisation of sterols in ethylnitrosourea-induced Schwannomas

Malignant schwannomas of the trigeminal nerves were induced transplacentally by a single intravenous injection of 30 mg of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea per kg of body weight into pregnant BD-IX rats on the 15th day of gestation. These neoplasms consisted of a pleomorphic population of Schwann cells and occasional fibroblasts. In order to preserve sterols the tumours were fixed in a digitonin-containing aldehyde solution. The electron microscope investigation of the tissues so treated revealed various structures: lamellar, tubular and complex formations were all observed. In addition, the unit membranes, including those of various cytoplasmic organelles, showed areas of increased contrast. The abundance of these fine structural configurations indicated the high sterol content of ethyl-nitrosourea-induced schwannomas.