Synopsis
From the third to the sixth month of foetal life abundant glycogen is found in all foetal epithelia. It declines thereafter, except in certain squamous mucosae in which it persists into adult life. Foetal epithelial glycogen or its products of degradation may function as sources of carbohydrate for the energy requirements of the developing organism as a whole or they may have a local metabolic role.
A ‘glycocalyx’ covering the surface of many epithelial membranes is found early in foetal life (fourth month). Alkaline phosphatase activity is detectable histoenzymatically within this surface coat in the small intestine, suggesting that the intestinal mucosa is potentially capable of absorption at this early stage.
Foetal mucins differ histochemically in many respects from their adult counterparts. It is difficult to interpret such differences because the biological role of even the best chemically defined adult glycoproteins is poorly understood.
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Lev, R. A histochemical study of glycogen and mucin in developing human foetal epithelia. Histochem J 1, 152–165 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01002585
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01002585