The umbilical cord is extremely important for correct fetal development. Just after the porcine umbilical vessels are diversified into arteries and veins, the direct transport of oxygen and nutrients between mother and fetus is possible. The aim of the present study was to determine the histological changes of developing porcine umbilical cord structures on day 40, 60, 75, 90 of pregnancy and after natural delivery by light microscopic observations. In the succeeding analyzed days of pregnancy the authors have observed changes of the umbilical vessels’ size, especially the enlargement of the muscular layer and increase in the size of the lumen. Furthermore, marked transmogrifications were noted in the amniotic and allantoic duct epithelium. The morphological reorganization of umbilical cord elements was relevant with increased concentration of elastic fibres stabilizing umbilical vessels, allantoic duct and amniotic epithelium in mucous connective tissue (Wharton’s jelly). These findings indicate that structural changes observed in the architecture of the porcine umbilical cord seem to be reasonable considering dynamic fetal growth.
JavaScript jest wyłączony w Twojej przeglądarce internetowej. Włącz go, a następnie odśwież stronę, aby móc w pełni z niej korzystać.