The surface ultrastructure of the amniotic fluid cells of 15 healthy women at 17–24 weeks of pregnancy was examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The cell surface showed numerous microvilli of different shapes and sizes. The cell membrane differed at the various stages of pregnancy with a tendency to rarefaction of the microvilli with advancing gestation. Since the cell surface may show alterations following infections or metabolic changes, the possibility of using the SEM as an additional tool for the diagnosis of antenatal diseases of the fetus is discussed.

Keywords:
Amniotic fluid cells, Antenatal examination, Cell surface ultrastructure, Scanning electron microscopy
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© 1982 S. Karger AG, Basel
1982
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