Histochemical localization of glucose residues in the human term placenta.

Glucose residues were revealed by light microscopic and fine structural analysis using hexokinase-gold conjugate. In human term placenta specific staining was detected over the stroma of placental villi. Colloidal gold particles were found over the collagen fibrils and reticular lamina of basal membrane. Syncytiotrophoblast cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells of fetal capillaries were void of labelling. Nucleated blood cells and thrombocytes inside the lumen of fetal capillaries possessed intense labelling. In the present investigation the process of extracellular glycosylation of collagen was histochemically demonstrated.