LIGHT AND ELECTRONMICROSCOPIC OBSERVATIONS ON HEPATIC HEMATOPOIESIS OF HUMAN FETUSES

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Abstract
Human fetuses between 7-13 wk of gestation were observed with light microscopy and EM. In the hepatic mesenchymal tissue variable number of granulocytes in varying stages of maturation were found from 10-13 wk of gestation. Neutrophil granules in human fetal livers were classified into 3 distinct types. The 1st granules appeared in myeloblasts. The 2nd granules, possibly formed in Golgi complex, were larger and observed after the promyelocytic stage. The 3rd granules, predominant in mature neutrophils, were pleomorphic. Other than granulocytic, erythrocytic and stromal cells, unclassifiable cells were occasionally encountered. The role of mesenchymal tissues in granulocytopoiesis, development of fetal neutrophils and the problem of hematopoietic stem cells were discussed.