Patterns in the development of the ultrastructure of elements of the microcirculatory system in the early stages of human embryogenesis

By means of transmissive electron microscopy methods, general regularities in development of the microcirculatory system have been studied at early stages of the human prenatal ontogenesis in functionally different organs. Ultrastructure of two cell types has been described in the mesenchyme of human embryos. Formation mechanisms of the primary blood vessels belonging to the protocapillary type are revealed. Structural peculiarities of the primary protocapillary network differentiating into various links of the secondary organospecific hemomicrocirculatory bed are distinguished. Certain stageness in development of the microcirculatory system is stated, its blood circulatory compartment including. Two stages are determined in development of the microcirculatory system: prevascular and vascular microcirculation. The latter includes the precirculatory and circulatory phases.     

Ultrastructural regularities of new growth of secondary micro blood vessels in the prenatal period of human morphogenesis

By means of transmissive electron microscopy structural aspects of new formation of secondary blood microvessels in functionally different organs have been studied during fetal period of the human development. Growth buds appear on the basal surface of the endothelial lining of the blood microvessels predominantly in those areas of the vascular wall, where pericytes and adventitial cells are absent. The first stage in formation of the growth bud is separating of small compartments in the lumen of the maternal vessel. Then, connected by means of specialized contacts, endothelial cells of such a compartment move one by one towards periphery of the vessel and form the growth bud, protruding outside. In the area of the growth bud local destruction of the basal membrane is observed. Newly formed microvessels, anastomising, form vascular loops. Further processes in differentiation of separate segments of the newly formed capillary network into links of the hemomicrocirculatory bed are analogous to those, observed in the course of differentiation of the primary protocapillary network into the secondary intraorganic blood bed.     

Structuro-functional features of different links in the microhemocirculatory bed of the myocardium

Morphofunctional peculiarities of various elements of the microhemocirculatory bed (MHCB) of the myocardium performing correction of the nutritive blood stream, structures and mechanisms of the microvessel permeability have been studied. The investigation has been performed on 20 mature rabbits and 5 mongrel dogs, transmissive electron microscopy and certain cytochemical techniques applied for revealing ATP-ase, lactate-, malate-, succinate-dehydrogenases, cytochrome-C-reductase and glycosamine glycans. Structural differences in microvessels of various range are described. Together with smooth muscle cells in arterioles and precapillary sphincters, specialized endotheliocytes and valve-like formations, situating in the orifices of blood capillaries, participate in regulation of hemoperfusion of the MHCB functional units. The data have been obtained characterising cytolemma of the endotheliocytes as a complex system, where plasmolemma, being the bearer of ATP-ase and a complex of oxidoreductase, regulates physical-chemical properties of the paraplasmolemmal layer and ensures the control of all the forms of the transcapillary transport. Micropinocytic vesicles are proved to differentiate into two functionally asynonymous populations: one of them performs the energy-dependent transport, while the other reserves the plasmolemma.     

Stages of endotheliocyte differentiation in the genesis of capillaries in human prenatal morphogenesis

Blood microvessels of the functionally different human organs were studied by electron microscopy to reveal regularities of cytodifferentiation of endotheliocytes in prenatal morphogenesis. Such stages of differentiation of endotheliocytes were determined: mesenchymal cells----endotheliocytes of pre-existing capillaries ("marginal" cells, primordial endotheliocytes, mature endotheliocytes of pre-existing capillaries)----specialized types of endothelium (somatic, fenestrated, sinusoidal, sinusal types of endothelium, high endothelium of post-capillary venules).     

Development of the hemomicrocirculatory bed of the human gonads during the prenatal period of ontogeny

The formation of the organospecific hemomicrocirculatory bed of the ovaries and testes has been studied by a complex of light, transmissive and scanning electron microscopy in 3--9-month-old human fetuses. The change of the diffusive protocapillary bed is secured by: 1) reduction of some protocapillaries; 2) appearance of secondary capillaries from the growth buds of the preceeding microvessels; 3) formation of arteriolar and venular links of the hemomicrocirculatory bed from the protocapillaries at the expense of differentiation of the developing paravasal connective tissue into cellular elements of the muscular and adventitial tunics. The secondary blood capillaries of the human gonads are predominantly formed intraendothelially. During the prenatal ontogenesis presence of the secondary blood capillaries of somatic uninterrupted type is specific for the human gonads.     

Extra- and intraorganic blood channel of the rabbit lumbar vertebrae in health and after cutting the segmentary arteries and veins

Extra- and intraorganic blood bed of the lumbar vertebrae has been investigated by means of the cast method and vital injection of the vessels with Indian ink-gelatin mixture and subsequent serial translucent preparations. Existence of constant topographo-anatomical relations has been stated between the segmentary arteries and veins with the lumbar vertebrae. Peculiarities in spatial organization of the microcirculatory bed have been revealed in different zones of the vertebral body, as well as peculiarity of blood supply of the epiphyseal osseous marginal plate. Topography and localization of changes in the intraorganic vertebral blood bed have been studied under conditions of bilateral crossing of the segmentary vascular fasciculi at the level of one, two and three vertebrae. Compensatory resources of the vertebral column blood bed are discussed, when large extra-organic trunks in the lumbar part are damaged.     

Prenatal development of the intrinsic nerves of the muscles of the human foot

Myelogenesis and blood supply of the intraorganic nerves have been studied in 4-6- and 7-9-month-old human fetuses. At first, the intramuscular nerves are presented as very thick fasciculi (the diameter is more than 90), thick (the diameter is from 50 up to 90) and single muddle neural fasciculi (the diameter is from 30 up to 50 mcm). The microcirculatory blood bed is formed at the expense of branches of the blood vessel-satellites and the blood vessels of the surrounding tissues and is carried out, without any interruption, along the whole extent. In 7-9-month-old fetuses the neural apparatus becomes more complex. The number of the middle neural fasciculi appear. On the background of fine neural fibers in the fasciculi a small part of the middle neural fibers appears, and in the musculus flexor digitorum brevis--single thick neural fibers. The intramuscular nerves have their own hemocirculatory bed presented by microvessels that are on the perineurium surface, in its bulck and among neural fibers.     

Development of the microcirculatory bed of the human tongue in the prenatal period

Morphofunctional regularities of formation and development of the blood microcirculatory bed in the human tongue have been studied in the prenatal period of morphogenesis. 119 human embryos and fetuses at the age of 5 weeks--9 months have been investigated. A complex of methods have been used: common histological (hematoxylin--eosin, after van Gieson and Mallory), injection of the lingual vessels with 20% suspension of Indian ink--gelatin, transmissive electron microscopy. General regularities of organogenesis, stages of the blood microcirculatory bed development and peculiarities of the process on formation of the primary protocapillary lingual blood bed are revealed. Regularities in structure of the terminal vascular constructions are studied for each structural element of the organ--mucosal membrane, muscles, glands, lingual tonsil. For these elements at the ultrastructural level certain features of the organic specificity in the structure of the blood microcirculatory bed links are determined.     

Age-related dynamics of blood supply and vascular-tissue interrelations in the human pineal body

Thirty-seven pineal bodies have been studied. They have been obtained from persons of both sex at the age of 18 up to 88 years, perished from accidental causes. Specific volumes of the epiphyseal tissues and vascular constructions of all types have been determined in histological preparations. In young age (up to 40-45 years) the volume of the intraorganic epiphyseal vascular bed is greater, and its blood supply is better than in persons of elderly and old age, when the sclerosing process in the organ occurs at the expense of outgrowth of fibrous elements of the connective tissue carcass. During the pineal body involution, the volume of its intraorganic vascular bed decreases essentially. This results in certain disturbances of blood supply and affects functional activity of the organ.     

The hemomicrocirculatory bed in the wall of hollow organs of the gastrointestinal tract of dogs with portal hypertension

At portal hypertension, produced by means of experimental stenosis of the portal vein in the hemomicrocirculatory bed of hollow organs of the gastrointestinal tract, congestive phenomena and edema of walls in the organs are observed. Manifested dilatation is noted in the lumen of arterioles, venules, postcapillary venules and capillaries. At early stages after the operation average diameters of these vessels in the submucosal base of the small intestine become increased 3-7 times and they do not return to the initial size even at late stages. The precapillary sphincters are in the state of spasm. Overdistention of walls in microvessels of the venular part of the functional module results in their increased permeability, that is demonstrated as diapedesic hemorrhages. During formation of intraorganic and extraorganic peripheral pathways of the circulation, the congestive phenomena in the hemomicrocirculatory bed disappear gradually.     

Structure of the excretory ducts, intraorganic lymphatic vessels, tissue canals and intercellular space of various organs (data of scanning electron microscopy injection replicas)

Architectonics of the biliary canaliculi and intrahepatic ducts systems, as well as intraorganic urinary pathways in white rats have been investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy of injection replica. Acinar structure of the intralobular part of the biliary bed has been proved. Anastomoses between the biliary canaliculi of the neighbouring lobules have been demonstrated. A useful method for obtaining injection replica of the intraorganic lymphatic vessels is filling of the ductal system of the parenchymatous organs with solid resins (methylmethacrylate+) under a high (nonphysiological) pressure. Casts of periportal and paravenous hepatic lymphatic vessels have been obtained. An ability of methylmethacrylate to replicate intercellular and connective tissue spaces is verified. Casts of the perisinusoid spaces (Disse) are obtained for the first time.     

Structural features of the intrinsic venous bed of the human urinary bladder

The intraorganic veins of the human urinary bladder have been studied in a vast sectional material. The veins within the organ make an enormous multilayered plexus which is differently organized in various layers of its wall. Abundant anastomoses, multiplicated ways for outflow from every layer, manifested interactions between the venous plexuses are specific for the intraorganic venous bed of the urinary bladder. The structures for an active regulating the hemomicrocirculatory blood stream are widely presented in the urinary bladder. In its every tunic certain specific morpho-functional features for organization and adaptation of the intraorganic venous bed are revealed.     

Intraorganic blood vessels of the intestinal graft after its ortho- and heterotopic transplantation

In experiments, performed on 85 dogs of both sex ortho- and heterotopic total autotransplantation of the small intestine and extracorporal connection of the allogenic segments of the small intestine have been carried out. Certain dependency of morphological changes of the intraorganic blood bed on the operation model has been stated. Essential changes in the blood bed at the heterotopic autotransplantation depend on inadequate regional hemodynamics in the graft. Therefore, the heterotopic model should be considered less preferable than the orthotopic one. One of the peculiarities in reconstruction of the intraorganic vascular bed after ortho- and heterotropic transplantation of the small intestine is, evidently, opening of lympho-venular anastomoses.     

The blood microcirculatory bed of the small intestine, liver and pancreas after resection of the stomach and small intestine

As demonstrate the experiments performed on dogs and rats, after surgical intervention to the stomach and small intestine, other organs of the digestive system experience an increased functional loading, that results in noticeable changes in the intraorganic blood vessels and the blood microcirculatory bed organs. The course of the compensatory processes occurs with a definite regularity--as stages. The first stage is characterized with a predominance of the pathological reactions over the compensatory ones, in the second stage certain compensatory possibilities of the organism are noted. In the third stage the compensatory-adaptive reactions prevail over the pathological processes in the blood vessels and blood microcirculatory bed.     

Photooptical and ultrastructural changes in the microcirculatory bed of the kidney after functional vasoconstriction

In experiments on rats it was found that at the early stages (5 to 15 minutes) after vasoconstriction of the kidney caused by adrenaline solution there occurred sharp narrowing of the intraorganic arterial bed lumen, particularly that of the afferent arterioles. Ultrastructural changes in the glomerular renal capillary components observed were morphological expression of the effect of angiospasm and circulatory hypoxia. Residual phenomena of constriction of the renal microcirculatory bed still persisted at later stages--in 3, 7 days. These changes characterized the stage of peculiar mobility and contractile properties of their endothelial cells, caused by spasmogenic disturbances of microcirculation.     

Results and prospects for the study of the morphologic basis of microcirculation of the blood

The survey of the works, performed during the 11th five-year period in studying general biological regularities of microcirculation, demonstrates certain success in investigations developed in the following directions: functional geometry of the hemo-microcirculatory bed; elaboration of quantitative and qualitative analysis methods of the microcirculatory system elements; functional morphology of the vascular endothelium; experimental analysis of adaptive mechanisms of the microcirculatory bed; clinical-morphological investigations of microcirculation. Formation of structural-functional units, ensuring specialization of microcirculation in organs, forms the base of the functional geometry of the microcirculatory bed. This makes necessary conditions for compartmentalization of some micro-region in an organ and spatial distribution of various liquid media in dependence of certain topology of microvessels. The most perspective ways in development of morphological investigations, concerning the general biological regularities of microcirculation, are discussed.     

Age-related characteristics of intraorganic vascular structures of the cerebral cortex, heart, kidneys and spleen in rats in the normal state and in arterial hypertension

The work has been performed on 40 normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats at the age of 6 months-1 year. In all the organs studied a direct dependence between the degree of changes in the intraorganic arterial walls and a relative content of the arterial vessels in the organ tissues has been revealed. The functional changes of the arterial bed of the organs mentioned in spontaneously hypertensive rats during hypertensive phase at the stage of stable hypertension, as a result of a prolonged adaptation transform into organic ones.     

Age-related characteristics of the organic angioarchitectonics of normal rats and in arterial hypertension

Architectonics of intraorganic arterial vessels in the cervical cortex, heart, kidneys and spleen have been investigated in 40 normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats, 6 months and 1 year old. In all the organs studied a direct dependence has been revealed between the degree of changes in the intraorganic arteries and relative content of the arterial vessels in the tissue organs. Functional changes of the arterial vessels in the organs studied observed during the hypertensive phase, transfer into the organic ones, as a result of prolonged adaptation, when the stage of a stable hypertension takes place.     

Precursor cells of newly formed connective tissue in inflammatory foci in various organs in mice

The origin of fibroblast-like cells of the capsule around a foreign body in the spleen, liver, peritoneal cavity, subcutaneous connective tissue of mice, the localization of cells-precursors, their proliferative potencies and the ability to migrate through blood were studied using 3H-thymidine autoradiography. Precursors of the inflammation focus cells (irrespective of localization) reproduce intensively outside the limits of intraorganic connective tissue, supposedly, in hemopoietic organs of the bone marrow type and migrate, through the blood channel, into tissues (inflammation foci), where they terminate their differentiation.     

Ultrastructural characteristics of the microcirculatory bed of the human adrenal cortex in prenatal ontogenesis

By means of transmissive electron microscopy the adrenals have been studied in 25 human embryos and fetuses at the age of 6-36 weeks. Certain stages have been revealed in formation of the adrenal cortex microcirculatory bed. In 6-7-week-old embryos (period of diffuse protocapillary bed) endothelial structure and mesenchymal cells, surrounding the adrenal anlage, resemble one another. A distinguished feature of the endothelium is regularly revealed desmosomes and large vacuoles, often found in cytoplasm of endotheliocytes. In 8-12-week-old fetuses (period when the organospecific microcirculatory bed is forming) sinusoid capillaries differentiate in the internal zone of the adrenal cortex; in endothelium fenestrae, "hatches", "locks" are revealed, the capillary basal membrane is formed. During subsequent time of the intrauterine development perfection of the microcirculatory pathways in the adrenals takes place, the arteriolar link of the subcapsular layer including. By the time of birth morphofunctional maturity of the microcirculatory bed in the adrenal cortex is noted.