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Ultrastructural aspects of the preattached pig embryo: Cleavage and early blastocyst stages

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Summary

Ultrastructural observations of morphological changes in nuclei and cytoplasm of pig embryos during cleavage and early blastocyst stages are presented. Compact nuclear bodies (nucleosphaeridies) are demonstrable in the cleavage stages, and occasionally in the inner cell mass of blastocysts. The transformation of nucleosphaeridies leading to the formation of a peripheral network are usually found at the eight-cell stage. In morula, nucleoli make their first appearance as clearly distinguishable morphological entities. A marked disorganization of nuclear envelope is observed near to the cytoplasmic annulate lamellae (CAL) indicating a possible process of transformation of the former to the latter. During premorula stages cytoplasmic organelles (Golgi complex, endoplasmic reticulum, and CAL) are predominantly concentrated around the nucleus. CAL associated with fibrillogranular material similar to the material of the nucleoplasm occur in juxtanuclear positions. In the two-cell stage, degenerating paternal mitochondria are observed. In the morula the number of spherical mitochondria fell while that of elongated mitochondria increase.

The trophoblast cells of the blastocyst stage contain cytoplasmic microfilaments which are closely associated with cell organelles, particularly the desmonsomes. Structurally changed mitochondria near the yolk globules and inclusion bodies of various morphology are found. A basal lamina is discernible parallel to the trophoblast layer facing the blastocoel. The observations are discussed in relation to physiological phenomena known to occur during embryogenesis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Husbandry and Genetics, The Veterinary College of Norway, Oslo, Norway

    Hans S. Norberg

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  1. Hans S. Norberg
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This work was supported by the Agricultural Research Council of Norway.

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Norberg, H.S. Ultrastructural aspects of the preattached pig embryo: Cleavage and early blastocyst stages. Z. Anat. Entwickl. Gesch. 143, 95–114 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00519913

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00519913

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