Summary
The ultrastructure of the pineal gland of 18 human fetuses (crown-rump lengths 30–178 mm) was investigated.
The pineal gland exhibits a pyramidal shape and consists of an anterior and posterior lobe. Only one parenchymal cell type, the pinealocyte, was observed. Few neuroblasts were seen between the pinealocytes and in the extended perivascular space. The pinealocytes possess all the organelles necessary for hormone synthesis. No specific secretory granule could be observed. The organ is abundantly vascularized and richly innervated. The morphology of the capillaries indicates the existence of a blood-brain barrier.
The ultrastructure of the human fetal pineal gland suggests that the gland has a secretory function in early intrauterine life.
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Acknowledgements. The author is grateful to Mrs. Yael Balslev and Miss Inger Ægidius for their able technical assistance. This investigation was supported in part by The Carl and Ellen Hertz's foundation and the Johann and Hanne Weimann foundation.
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Møller, M. The ultrastructure of the human fetal pineal gland. Cell Tissue Res. 152, 13–30 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00224208
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00224208