Bernard Gondos

Ultrastructural observations on germ cells in human fetal ovaries

Abstract Ovaries of 18 human fetuses from 7 to 20 weeks of age were examined with the electron microscope. Germ cells were observed at three distinct stages of maturation. Between 7 and 9 weeks, large, amoeboid-appearing primitive germ cells were scattered as single cells throughout the ovarian parenchyma. From 10 to 12 weeks, groups of dividing oogonia were observed. Oocytes in various stages of meiotic prophase were present from 12 weeks onward. The identical appearance of germ cells in a given area indicated the presence of local synchronization of development, attributed to the presence of intercellular bridges. During the period of oocyte maturation, there was extensive degeneration of germ cells. Cellular debris resulting from the degenerative process was phagocytized by granulosa cells. The number of granulosa cells containing phagocytized material correlated with the number of degenerating germ cells present. Both reached a peak between 16 and 20 weeks, at the time when the first primordial follicles began to appear.

Ultrastructure of germ cell development in the human fetal testis

SummaryElectron-microscopic examination of the human fetal testis between 10 and 20 weeks gestation reveals the presence of two distinct cell types within the tubules: Sertoli cells and germ cells. The latter are distinguished by their spherical shape, smooth nuclear membranes, globular mitochondria and paucity of cytoplasmic organelles. The gonocytes, or primitive germ cells, occur as single cells in the central portions of the tubules. Their chromatin is finely granular and evenly dispersed. Nucleoli are centrally placed and of uniform electron density. Various stages in the migration of gonocytes to the tubular periphery are indicated by the extension of cytoplasmic processes toward the basal lamina. Bands of microtubules are present within the processes. Spermatogonia are arranged in pairs and groups at the tubular periphery. They lack the nucleolar and mitochondrial characteristics of adult spermatogonia. Except for slight changes in chromatin density and nucleolar structure, the fetal spermatogonia retain the ultrastructural characteristics of gonocytes. Intercellular bridges connect adjacent spermatogonia. Degeneration affecting large numbers of germ cells, but primarily gonocytes, begins with nuclear infolding and chromatin condensation and eventually involves both nuclear and cytoplasmic structures. The degenerated cells are removed by phagocytosis by adjacent Sertoli cells. Large phagosomes are present in the cytoplasm of many of the Sertoli cells.

Electron microscopic study of papillary serous tumors of the ovary

Electron microscopic evaluation was performed in a series of papillary serous tumors of the ovary, including 4 cystadenomas, 2 cystadenocarcinomas, and 2 tumors with questionable histologic evidence of malignancy. Marked nuclear irregularity was found in the cells of those tumors which were malignant by histologic criteria. Nuclei of cells from benign tumors had a regular shape and outline, with only shallow indentations. In the cases with borderline malignant changes, an intermediate degree of nuclear irregularity was present. Many of the cells showed a marked degree of nuclear infolding, comparable to that of the frankly malignant tumors. A decreased amount of cell membrane interdigitation was observed in the malignant tumors as compared to the benign. The borderline group was intermediate in this respect. Cilia were present in the benign and borderline malignant tumors but were not seen in the frankly malignant tumors. The findings indicate that electron microscopic analysis may be a useful adjunct in the evaluation of papillary cystic tumors of the ovary.

Ultrastructure of a metastatic granulosa-theca cell tumor.

A metastatic granulosa‐theca cell tumor of the ovary was studied by electron microscopy for the first time. The tumor cells showed cytoplasmic features similar to those of nonmalignant granulosa cells. Marked nuclear alterations, corresponding to the appearance of embryonic granulosa cells, were present. Cells varying in shape from round to elongated were otherwise identical in terms of cytoplasmic architecture and nuclear abnormalities. The significance of ultrastructural abnormalities in evaluating granulosa‐theca cell tumors is discussed.

Outpatient therapy of preinvasive cervical neoplasia: Selection of patients with the use of colposcopy

Abstract Colposcopy and cervical cytology were used to evaluate the cervices of 1,291 patients with abnormal cervical cytology. The combination of cervical colposcopy with directed biopsy and endocervical curettage allows the presence of invasive carcinoma to be ruled out in 85 per cent of patients with abnormal cervical cytology. The colposcopic determination of the extent of cervical neoplasia is essential when outpatient cryosurgery or primary hysterectomy are used for treatment.

Pronuclear Relationship and Association of Maternal and Paternal Chromosomes in Flushed Rabbit Ova

SummaryFertilized ova were flushed from the Fallopian tubes of New Zealand White rabbits at 15 to 30 hours after mating and examined with the electron microscope. Between 21 and 22 hours intact pronuclei with extensive interdigitation of apposing surfaces were found in most ova. In some, an appearance suggesting internuclear communication was observed. In other ova disrupted pronuclear membranes surrounded centrally placed chromosome aggregates. In still others an advanced cleavage furrow was already present. By 23 hours all ova were in the two-cell stage.

Cytologic diagnosis of squamous dysplasia and carcinoma of the cervix

Abstract A diagnostic classification for reporting cervical smears was evaluated over a 3 year period, including 37,299 consecutive specimens. All smears which would previously have been reported as Class III or above were interpreted in terms of histologic terminology. Correlation was then made with biopsy findings. In a series of 556 smears showing evidence of squamous dysplasia or carcinoma, the accuracy in predicting a diagnosis of mild-moderate dysplasia was 82 per cent; severe dysplasia-intraepithelial carcinoma, 90 per cent; and invasive carcinoma, 88 per cent. In comparison to the traditional numerical classification for reporting Papanicolaou smears, the diagnostic method provides greater precision and consistency and allows better correlation with biopsy reports.