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Ovine amniotic and allantoic epithelia across gestation
L Shandley1, D Alcorn, E M Wintour
1Howard Florey Institute of Experimental Physiology and Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
The Anatomical Record
|August 1, 1997
Summary
Sheep fetal membranes (amnion and allantois) develop active transport capabilities as gestation progresses. These changes in ovine fetal membranes suggest an increased capacity for regulating amniotic fluid volume and composition.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Developmental biology
- Fetal membrane physiology
Background:
- Ovine amniotic and allantoic membranes are crucial for regulating amniotic and allantoic fluid volume and composition.
- Limited knowledge exists regarding the functional morphology of these fetal membranes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the functional morphology of sheep amnion and allantois throughout gestation.
- To investigate the presence and developmental changes of key transporting ATPases in these membranes.
Main Methods:
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to examine membrane ultrastructure.
- Immunohistochemistry for Ca++-ATPase and in situ hybridization for Na,K-ATPase were employed to assess ATPase presence.
Main Results:
- Epithelial cell height, microvilli number, and zonulae occludentes length increased with gestational age.
- Epithelial cells transitioned from flattened to cuboidal, with increased cytoplasmic complexity and proliferation.
- Ca++-ATPase was present throughout gestation, while Na,K-ATPase expression was detected after 100 days of gestation.
Conclusions:
- Ovine amnion and allantois exhibit characteristics of transporting epithelia.
- Maturation of these epithelia involves changes that enhance solute and fluid transport regulation.