Evaluation of the development of granulosa cells in the follicular apparatus of the ovaries of human fetuses
Skrzypczak, J.; Pisarski, T.; Biczysko, W.
Ginekologia Polska 51(10): 885-894
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0017-0011 PMID: 7450527 Document Number: 168409
To study the development of granulosa cells in human fetal ovaries in consequent stages of development, 101 ovaries recovered from 76 fetuses, and newborns in different stages of intrauterine life were studied. The youngest sample was from a 12 wk old fetus, the oldest from a term baby. The morphology was studied by light microscopy and EM. The granulosa-like cells were discovered among the gonocytes and oganias already in 12 wk old fetus. In different stages of development the granulosa cells differed in size, shape and cytoplasmatic patterns. Along with the gaining of higher stages of maturity, the number of polyribosomes and contents of lipids decreased, giving rise to the development of ergastoplasm canals and to fibrillar material. In numerous cells a well-developed Golgi apparatus, surrounded by numerous vesicles with microfibrillar material, could be seen. In the cytoplasm of some of these cells, remnants of chromatin and cytoplasmatic membranes could be seen together with congested mitochondria. The majority of granulosa cells in follicles, corresponding to Graafian follicles, demonstrated signs of degeneration. Granulosa cells may be responsible for the normal development of sex cells.