Distribution of fibronectin, laminin and collagen type IV in the materno-fetal boundary zone of the developing mouse placenta. Experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to demonstrate the distribution of extracellular matrix components of fibronectin, laminin and collagen type IV in the materno-fetal boundary zone of the developing mouse placenta.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Mice fetuses and placentas were removed serially every day until the 19th gestational day. Implantation sites were processed and stained by an immunohistochemical method by specific antiserums to fibronectin, laminin and collagen type IV. The distribution of the extracellular matrix components in cytotrophoblasts and giant cells of the developing mouse placenta were determined under light microscope.
RESULTS: Fibronectin, laminin and collagen type IV immunostaining demonstrated a dynamic relationship changing day by day after the conception. At the 16th day cytotrophoblasts and giant cells were all positively stained by the extracellular matrix components.
CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the regions of the developing mouse placenta produce specialized extracellular matrices which may contain different ratios of these polypeptides.