The amnion surrounding the mammalian embryo consists of the amniotic epithelium facing the amniotic cavity, a layer of extraembryonic mesoderm bordering the exocoelom and an intervening layer of extracellular matrix (Fig. 1). During gestation the amnion expands remarkably to acommodate the rapidly growing embryo. In this study we have examined the process of collagen fibril formation in the developing amnion of the rhesus monkey between 20 and 60 days of gestation.Most cytological evidence of collagen fibril formation was observed in association with the extraembryonic mesodermal cells rather than the amniotic epithelium. The mesodermal cells h ad abundant cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum and a prominent Golgi apparatus. Elongated secretory vacuoles were associated with the Golgi apparatus and often contained parallel aggregates of fine filaments (Fig. 2). In some secretory vacuoles, periodic densities also were observed. Some striated collagen fibrils were observed in an apparent intracellular location in long, membrane-limited compartments (Fig. 3). Still other striated fibrils were observed in dense bodies, presumably lysosomes (Fig. 4).
Collagen fibril formation during embryogenesis.