Steroidogenic activity in the amniotic epithelium
Tedde, G.; Tedde Piras, A.; Stoppelli, I.; Montella, A.
Bulletin de l'Association des Anatomistes 65(191): 499-504
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0376-6160 PMID: 6953988 Document Number: 169287
For evaluation of the steroid-producing structures during pregnancy, the human amnion has been studied from the early stages of pregnancy to the term by means of histo-enzymologic and submicroscopic techniques. The histo-enzymatic tests have shown the presence hydroxysteroid of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase in the cells of the amniotic epithelium throughout pregnancy. Also scattered mesenchymal cells of the subepithelial fibroblastic layer showed a positive reaction in their cytoplasm. Using FRIEND and BRASSIL's (1970) technique a steroidogenetic activity has been demonstrated at the level of the amniotic epithelium both in semithin and in ultrathin sections, the latter observed by electron microscopy. The above mentioned results suggest that the amniotic epithelium represents a site of steroidogenesis and conversion of steroids and plays, also under this point of view, an important role in the physiology of pregnancy.