Ultrastructural differentiation of the endodermal cells of the yolk sac of the bat, Tadarida brasiliensis cynocephala.

Abstract

AbstractIn Tadarida, the endodermal cells that form the yolk sac originally delaminate from the inner cell mass and proliferate to form a complete lining of the trophoblastic vesicle, creating a bilaminar omphalopleure. These cells remain squamous until the splanchnic mesoderm migrates in between the two layers of the omphalopleure, at which time they begin to hypertrophy. The current study is an analysis of the cytological changes that accompany this hypertrophy as well as additional changes that occur throughout the remainder of the gestation period. Among the early changes are: (1) the formation of numerous microvilli along the apical surface of the cells, (2) the appearance of coated vesicles, also along the apical plasma membrane, (3) the establishment of a system of absorption tubules in the apical cytoplasm, (4) an increase in mitochondria, and (5) the appearance of glycogen within the channels of the membranous organelle.A wave of hematopoietic activity follows the migration of splanchnic mesoderm around the trophoblastic vesicle, and at this time the erythroblasts and embryonic erythrocytes can be seen in a close relationship with the endodermal cells.Subsequent changes include the enlargement of the membranous organelle and the appearance of a paracrystalline membranous structure. In addition, the endodermal cells store large quantities of lipid and glycogen that are substantially depleted just before birth.