Ultrastructure of Luteal Cells in Fully Formed and Regressing Corpora Lutea During Pregnancy and Lactation in the Marsupials Isoodon Macrourus and Perameles Nasuta.

1980 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 195 ◽  
Author(s):  
DE Hollis ◽  
AG Lyne
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Lipid Droplets ◽  
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Cell Junction ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Cholesterol Crystals ◽  
Luteal Cells ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Advanced Stages ◽  
Spherical Nuclei

Corpora lutea (CL) collected from 23 bandicoots (I. macrourus and P. nasuta), from day 5 of pregnancy (gestation 12.5 days) to day 53 of lactation (lactation c. 60 days), were examined with the electron microscope. The luteal cells of fully formed CL (from day 5 of pregnancy to day 44 of lactation) were large and contained spherical nuclei with distinct nucleoli. The amount of heterochromatin increased during the latter part of this period. The cytoplasm contained numerous lipid droplets and abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER). Granular endoplasmic reticulum (GER) was less common. Mitochondria were most numerous from day 16 to day 44 of lactation and some of them contained large osmiophilic inclusions. Several types of granules and inclusions were present in the cytoplasm. During pregnancy, small dense-cored granules were common in P. nasuta and sparse in I. macrourus. They were still present in small numbers during early lactation in P. nasuta but were absent throughout lactation in I. macrourus. A special type of cell junction associated with endoplasmic reticulum was present between the luteal cells in P. nasuta but not in I. macrourus. The luteal cells of regressing CL on days 48, 50 and 53 of lactation were markedly reduced in size, with small irregularly shaped nuclei containing clumps of heterochromatin and indistinct nucleoli. The cells still contained numerous lipid droplets, and osmiophilic inclusions were still present in some of the mitochondria, which were reduced in number (and absent in the animal at day 50). Lancet-shaped spaces, which probably initially contained cholesterol crystals extracted by solvents during processing, were present in some of the regressing luteal cells. Organelles, including SER and GER, were either sparse or unrecognizable in luteal cells at advanced stages of regression. In general, the ultrastructural features of the luteal cells in fully formed and regressing CL of bandicoots were similar to those described in active and regressing CL of eutherian mammals.

THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE HUMAN GRANULOSAL LUTEIN CELL OF THE FIRST TRIMESTER OF GESTATION

1968 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 481-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Poul Hjortkjær Pedersen ◽  
Jørgen Falck Larsen
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Steroid Synthesis ◽  
Intracellular Location ◽  
Human Pregnancy ◽  
Subendothelial Space ◽  
Lutein Cell ◽  
Early Human

ABSTRACT The ultrastructure of granulosal lutein cells of 13 corpora lutea in early human pregnancy was studied. The predominant cytoplasmic element was the smooth endoplasmic reticulum. No convincing signs of degeneration of the lutein cells could be demonstrated within the first 14 weeks of pregnancy, as the mitochondria as well as the rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum were well preserved. However, lysosomes may be slightly more numerous in older specimens and the subendothelial space increases with the age of gestation. A particular type of multilaminated structure one to five micron in diameter was observed, particularly in the earliest specimens. The possible intracellular location of steroid synthesis is discussed.

scholarly journals STUDIES ON MICROPEROXISOMES II. A CYTOCHEMICAL METHOD FOR LIGHT AND ELECTRON MICROSCOPY

1972 ◽  
Vol 20 (12) ◽  
pp. 1006-1023 ◽  
Author(s):  
ALEX B. NOVIKOFF ◽  
PHYLLIS M. NOVIKOFF ◽  
CLEVELAND DAVIS ◽  
NELSON QUINTANA
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Guinea Pig ◽  
Lipid Droplets ◽  
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Light And Electron Microscopy ◽  
Distal Tubule ◽  
Striking Difference ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Pig Kidney

A modification of the Novikoff-Goldfischer alkaline 3,3'-diaminobenzidine medium for visualizing peroxisomes is described. It makes possible light microscopic as well as electron microscopic studies of a recently described class of peroxisomes, the microperoxisomes. Potassium cyanide (5 x 10–3 M) is included in the medium to inhibit mitochondrial staining, the pH is 9.7 and there is a high concentration of H2O2 (0.05%). Two cell types have been chosen to illustrate the advantages of the new procedure for demonstrating the microperoxisomes: the absorptive cells in the human jejunum and the distal tubule cells in the guinea pig kidney. Suggestive relations of microperoxisomes and lipid are described in the human jejunum. The microperoxisomes are strategically located between smooth endoplasmic reticulum that radiates toward the organelles and contains lipid droplets and "central domains" of highly specialized endoplasmic reticulum which do not show the lipid droplets. The microperoxisomes are also present at the periphery of large lipid-like drops. In the guinea pig kidney tubule there is a striking difference between the thick limb of Henle and distal tubule. The distal tubule has a population of cells with large numbers of microperoxisomes readily visible by light microscopy; these cells are not present in the thick limb of Henle. Other differences between the two are also described.

scholarly journals Cell death during natural and induced luteal regression in mares

Reproduction ◽  
2002 ◽  
pp. 67-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
MO Al-Zi'abi ◽  
HM Fraser ◽  
ED Watson
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Luteal Phase ◽  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Dense Body ◽  
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Luteal Regression ◽  
Luteal Cells ◽  
Dense Bodies ◽  
Marked Accumulation

In mares, little information is available on the type of cell death that occurs during natural and induced luteal regression. Corpora lutea were collected from mares in the early luteal phase, days 3-4 (n = 4); mid-luteal phase, day 10 (n = 5); early regression, day 14 (n = 4); late regression, day 17 (n = 4); and 12 and 36 h (n = 3 per group) after PGF2alpha administration on day 10. Histological and ultrastructural sections were examined and TUNEL was used to detect DNA fragmentation. In early luteal regression, there were more pyknotic luteal cells and extracellular round dense bodies compared with the mid-luteal phase. By late regression, there was a significant decline (P < 0.01) in the number of round dense body clusters and a marked accumulation of lipid. Twelve and 36 h after PGF2alpha administration, changes were similar to those seen in natural regression, but there was also a marked infiltration of neutrophils. Accumulation of lipid was not apparent until 36 h after PGF2alpha administration. Ultrastructural examination revealed rarefaction and distortion of the mitochondrial cristae in most of the luteal cells by the mid-luteal phase. Luteal cells showed shrinkage, accumulation of lipid with foamy appearance, and disruption in both smooth endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria during natural and induced regression. Some luteal cells showed fragmented or pyknotic chromatin characteristic of apoptosis. Other luteal cells showed crenation of the nuclear membrane and shrinkage of the nucleus, features not characteristic of apoptotic cell death. In late regression, capillaries were obstructed by swollen endothelial cells and round dense bodies. These results show that structural regression may be initiated as early as the mid-luteal phase, and is clearly visible by day 14 in natural regression and 12 h after induced regression. Apoptosis did appear to be involved in luteolysis in the equine corpus luteum, but non-apoptotic changes were also observed in some luteal cells during regression. Accumulation of lipid was a late feature of luteal regression.

scholarly journals Targeted disruption of the aromatase P450 gene (Cyp19) in mice and their ovarian and uterine responses to 17beta-oestradiol

2001 ◽  
Vol 170 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Toda ◽  
K Takeda ◽  
T Okada ◽  
S Akira ◽  
T Saibara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Corpus Luteum ◽  
Lipid Droplets ◽  
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Ovarian Follicles ◽  
Interstitial Cells ◽  
Aromatase Activity ◽  
Tubular Structures ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Targeted Disruption

Aromatase P450 (CYP19) is an enzyme catalysing the conversion of androgens into oestrogens. We generated mice lacking aromatase activity (ArKO) by targeted disruption of Cyp19 and report the characteristic features of the ArKO ovaries and uteri as revealed by histological and biochemical analyses. ArKO females were totally infertile but there were as many developing follicles in their ovaries at 8 weeks of age as in wild-type ovaries. Nevertheless, no typical corpus luteum was observed in the ArKO ovaries. Electron microscopy revealed the presence of well-developed smooth endoplasmic reticulum, few lipid droplets and mitochondria with less organized tubular structures in the ArKO luteinized interstitial cells. These ultrastructural features were different from those of the wild-type interstitial cells, where there are many lipid droplets and mitochondria with well-developed tubular structures, characteristic of steroid-producing cells. When ArKO mice were supplemented with 17beta-oestradiol (E(2); 15 microg/mouse) every fourth day from 4 weeks of age for 1 month, increased numbers of follicles were observed in the ovaries as compared with those of untreated ArKO mice, although no typical corpus luteum was detectable. Ultrastructural analysis revealed the disappearance of the accumulated smooth endoplasmic reticulum in the luteinized interstitial cells after E(2 )supplementation. Transcripts of pro-apoptotic genes such as p53 and Bax genes were markedly elevated in the ArKO ovaries as compared with those of wild-type mice. Although E(2) supplementation did not cause suppression of the elevated expression of p53 and Bax mRNAs, it caused marked enhancement of expression levels of lactoferrin and progesterone receptor mRNAs in the uteri as well as increases in uterine wet weight. At 8 months of age, ArKO mice developed haemorrhages in the ovaries, in which follicles were nearly depleted, while age-matched wild-type females still had many ovarian follicles. Furthermore, macrophage-like cells were occasionally observed in the ArKO ovarian follicles. These results suggested that targeted disruption of Cyp19 caused anovulation and precocious depletion of ovarian follicles. Additionally, analysis of mice supplemented with E(2) demonstrated that E(2) apparently supports development of ovarian follicles, although it did not restore the defect in ovulation.

scholarly journals A variant of the pyroantimonate technique suitable for localization of calcium in ovarian tissue.

1979 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 1017-1028 ◽  
Author(s):  
B S Weakley
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Lipid Droplets ◽  
Microprobe Analysis ◽  
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Ovarian Tissue ◽  
Follicle Cells ◽  
Fixation Time ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Cytoplasmic Processes

Osmium-pyroantimonate solutions for the precipitation of cations are unsuitable for use with delicate mammalian oocytes. A variant of the pyroantimonate technique employing a mixture of pyroantimonate and glutaraldehyde has been found to give successful and repeatable results if a fixation time of 4 hr is used. Calcium-containing antimonate precipitates were localized principally in nuclei, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, and cytoplasmic processes of both oocytes and follicle cells, and along the plasma membrane in small oocytes. Deposits were also concentrated around the periphery of lipid droplets in the follicle cells. The presence of calcium in the precipitates was confirmed by x-ray microprobe analysis.

scholarly journals Ultrastructural analysis of the dorsal body gland of the terrestrial snail Megalobulimus abbreviatus (Becquaert, 1948)

2010 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 341-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
GD Moraes ◽  
M. Achaval ◽  
MM Dal Piva ◽  
MC Faccioni-Heuser ◽  
GF Wassermann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Electron Microscope ◽  
Lipid Droplets ◽  
Neural Control ◽  
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Nerve Endings ◽  
Retrograde Labelling ◽  
Axon Terminals ◽  
Cerebral Ganglia ◽  
Reproductive Gland

The ultrastructure of the reproductive gland, dorsal body (DB), of Megalobulimus abbreviatus was analysed. Electron microscope immunohistochemistry was used to detect FMRFamide-like peptides in the nerve endings within this gland. Nerve backfilling was used in an attempt to identify the neurons involved in this innervation. In M. abbreviatus, the DB has a uniform appearance throughout their supraesophageal and subesophageal portions. Dorsal body cells have several features in common with steroid-secreting gland cells, such as the presence of many lipid droplets, numerous mitochondria with tubular cristae and a developed smooth endoplasmic reticulum cisternae. Throughout the DB in M. abbreviatus numerous axonal endings were seen to be in contact with the DB cells exhibiting a synaptic-like structure. The axon terminals contained numerous electron-dense and scanty electron-lucid vesicles. In addition, the DB nerve endings exhibited FMRFamide immunoreactive vesicles. Injection of neural tracer into the DB yielded retrograde labelling of neurons in the metacerebrum lobe of the cerebral ganglia and in the parietal ganglia of the subesophageal ganglia complex. The possibility that some of these retrograde-labelled neurons might be FMRFamide-like neurons that may represent a neural control to the DB in M. abbreviatus is discussed.

Histopathologic and Ultrastructural Alterations of White Liver Disease in Sheep Experimentally Depleted of Cobalt

1997 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 575-584 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Kennedy ◽  
S. McConnell ◽  
H. Anderson ◽  
D. G. Kennedy ◽  
P. B. Young ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Liver Disease ◽  
Lipid Droplets ◽  
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Fatty Degeneration ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Liver Lesions ◽  
Lipofuscin Granules

Many cobalt-deficient sheep develop liver lesions known as ovine "white liver" disease, but the etiology of these changes is controversial. It has been suggested that cofactors are required for development of liver damage in cobalt-deficient sheep. In this study, one group of lambs ( n=5) was fed a diet low in cobalt (4.5 μg/kg) while a group of control lambs ( n=4) received the same diet after it had been supplemented with cobalt (1000 μg/kg). All cobalt-depleted lambs had reduced growth rate, anorexia, lacrimation, and alopecia, and they eventually became emaciated (mean body weight at end of study: 83% of initial body weight). Plasma concentrations of bilirubin and serum activity of glutamate-oxaloacetate transferase were elevated in these animals, while plasma concentrations of vitamin B12 were reduced (less than 220 pmol/L from day 42). Fatty degeneration of the liver associated with reduced concentrations of vitamin B12 (14.5 pmol/g) was seen in these animals at necropsy at 196 days. Microscopic liver lesions included accumulation of lipid droplets and lipofuscin particles in hepatocytes, dissociation and necrosis of hepatocytes, and sparse infiltration by neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes. Ultrastructural hepatocytic alterations included swelling, condensation and proliferation of mitochondria, hypertrophy of smooth endoplasmic reticulum, vesiculation and loss of arrays of rough endoplasmic reticulum, and accumulation of lipid droplets and lipofuscin granules in cytoplasm of hepatocytes. No liver lesions were seen in control lambs. The results of this study indicate that cofactors are not a prerequisite to development of hepatic damage in cobalt-deficient sheep. Reduced activities of the vitamin B12-dependent enzymes, methylmalonyl CoA mutase and methionine synthase, and lipid peroxidation are of likely pathogenetic importance in the development of the lesions.

Sporogonic development of Haemoproteus meleagridis (Haemosporina: Haemoproteidae) in Culicoides edeni (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (7) ◽  
pp. 1880-1888 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carter T. Atkinson
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Lipid Metabolism ◽  
Outer Surface ◽  
Blood Meal ◽  
Lipid Droplets ◽  
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Polar Ring ◽  
Membrane Complex ◽  
Inner Membrane Complex ◽  
Crystalloid Body

Mature oocysts of Haemoproteus meleagridis developed in specimens of Culicoides edeni within 3–6 days after the midges took a blood meal from an infected domestic turkey. Approximately 50 sporozoites budded from the surface of a single sporoblast body. Sporogonic development was similar to that of reptilian, avian, and mammalian haemoproteids that are transmitted by ceratopogonid and tabanid flies, but unlike that of hippoboscid-transmitted species in birds, which form large, slowly developing oocysts with multiple sporoblast bodies. Ultrastructural features of developing oocysts included nuclei with prominent nucleoli, mitochondria, and sandwich-like arrays of crystalloid particles and smooth endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that were present on the outer surface of developing lipid droplets during early stages of sporogony. During budding of sporozoites, crystalloid particles measuring 30–40 nm in diameter were associated with the inner membrane complex of the sporozoite pellicle, arranged in rows between subpellicular microtubules. Mature sporozoites contained an apical complex composed of a polar ring with two anterior apical rings, from two to eight elongate rhoptries, 22 evenly spaced subpellicular microtubules, and a small anterior crystalloid body. Morphological similarities between the ER–crystalloid arrays and the ER–microperoxisome arrays that have been described in cells actively engaged in lipid biosynthesis suggest that the crystalloid body contains enzymes important in lipid metabolism.

scholarly journals OBSERVATIONS ON THE FINE STRUCTURE OF LUTEIN CELLS

1964 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allen C. Enders ◽  
W. R. Lyons
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Lipid Droplets ◽  
Normal Pregnancy ◽  
Perivascular Space ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
General Effect ◽  
Multiple Characteristics ◽  
Old Rats ◽  
Dense Matrices

Corpus luteum formation was induced in 26-day-old rats which were subsequently hypophysectomized and injected with mammotrophic hormone (MH, LTH). Sections of corpora lutea from these animals were examined with the electron microscope and compared with similarly prepared (Caulfield's fixed, Araldite embedded) corpora from normal pregnancy and from controls, the latter consisting of corpora prior to hypophysectomy and corpora from uninjected rats 7 to 14 days after hypophysectomy. Lutein cells from corpora lutea of injected animals and of normal pregnancy are characterized by abundant, tortuous, tubular agranular endoplasmic reticulum and by mitochondria, many of which are disc-shaped with dense matrices and both villiform and lamelliform cristae. The endoplasmic reticulum is most abundant in lutein cells from pregnant animals, in which cells it is in the form of thin, highly tortuous tubules. The form of the lipid droplets seen in cells of stimulated animals varies greatly. Marginal foldings of the lutein cells on the perivascular space were found in all instances. Lutein cells from hypophysectomized animals have a less highly developed agranular endoplasmic reticulum. The mitochondria have irregular outlines and a relatively lucid matrix. The lipid droplets in these cells show less tendency to be extracted, but are not so large or abundant as in the cells of onset controls. Granules believed to contain lipid pigments are common in the lutein cells of these control animals. It is suggested that lutein cells from corpora lutea which are actively secreting progesterone may be readily distinguished from lutein cells from non-active corpora by means of the multiple characteristics enumerated. It is further suggested that mammotrophic hormone has a general effect on the metabolism of lutein cells rather than solely affecting a specific organelle, the abundance or composition of which may be the limiting factor in the production of progesterone.

scholarly journals Cellular composition of the Corpus luteum of Indian fruit bat, Rousettus leschenaulti (Desmarest) during early embryonic development

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Badiye V.H
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Corpus Luteum ◽  
Lipid Droplets ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Limb Bud ◽  
Luteal Cell ◽  
Bud Formation ◽  
Luteal Cells ◽  
Fruit Bat ◽  
Rousettus Leschenaulti

The fine structure of luteal cell of the corpus luteum of Indian fruit bat, Rousettus leschenaulti was studied at three stages unilaminar blastocyst stage, Implanted bilaminar blastocyst stage and limb bud stage of early pregnancy. At unilaminar blastocyst stage luteal cells had small nuclei euchromatin. Mitochondria were small, round shaped with tubular cristae. Numerous less osmiophilic lipid droplets were observed in cytoplasmic field of the luteal cells. After implantation at implanted bilaminar blastocyst stage nuclear heterochromatin were reduced and nucleoli were larger and complex. Mitochondria were enlarged and often bizarre shaped with tubular cristae. Golgi complex and agranular endoplasmic reticulum were more conspicuous. Lipid droplets were less osmiophilic. At the stage of limb bud formation the luteal cells suggests different morphological picture, the nuclear size is reduced with clumps of heterochromatin. The agranular endoplasmic reticulum assumes the form of bundles of parallel tubules dispersed in several planes. Mitochondrial size was reduced then the previous stage and they posses vesicular cristae. These observations suggest that the steroidogenic activity of the luteal cells is highest during implantation and comparatively regresses during limb bud formation. It is suggested that the luteal cells is an important ovarian source of pregnancy hormones.

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