Corpus Luteum of Pregnancy in the Rat—Ultrastructural and Cytochemical Observations

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Abstract
The corpus luteum of the rat was examined with the electron microscope at 2, 6, 7, 10, 12, 17, and 20 days of pregnancy. In addition, the old corpus luteum of pregnancy was studied 3 days after parturition as was the new corpus luteum of lactation. Increases in the amount of smooth surfaced endoplasmic reticulum during the course of pregnancy are documented. The possible correlation of this increase with the increase in rate of progesterone secretion during pregnancy is discussed. Mitochondria in lutein cells from early pregnancy are spherical and contain many short tubular or vesicular cristae. At later stages of pregnancy, mitochondria tend to be more elongated and contain lamellar cristae. Lysosomes are present in lutein cells throughout pregnancy, as demonstrated by electron microscope cytochemical methods. At 14 days of pregnancy and later, a second population of granules is produced which does not contain lysosomal enzymes. The possibility that these granules represent sites of storage of relaxin is discussed.

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