Light and Scanning Electron Microscopical Studies on the Structure of the Vitelline Membrane of the Hen's Egg

鶏卵の卵黄膜の立体的構造が,光顕と走査電顕によって観察された.卵黄膜は,生の薄膜標本では光顕的に観察が困難なものであるが,これを炭酸リチウム液に浸漬すると,粘液物質が除去され,普通の染色で充分観察されるようになった.この方法によって調べた卵黄膜の光顕と走査電子鏡検像が示された.

卵黄膜は内と外の2層の線維膜構造であった.内層はテープ状の薄い線維の交織から成る線維膜であり,外層は細線維から成る線維網であった.外層の表面には,太い線維束と粘液物質から成るカラザ層が存在していた.カラザ層は多量の粘液物質を加えながらカラザに移行した.カラザは走査電顕では,ゲル物質の凝塊として示された.

The three-dimensional structure of the vitelline membrane of the hen's egg was observed by optical and scanning electron microscopy. The general structure of this membrane was exhibited even by light microscopy when a mucin-like substance had been removed from the membrane by immersion in lithium carbonate solution.

The vitelline membrane consisted principally of two layers, an inner and an outer layer. The inner layer was a network of flat, solid fibrils 0.2-2.0µ in width.　These fibrils were fused with one another in such manner as to form knots. The　outer layer was a network of fine, feeble fibrils about 0.07µ in diameter. These　fibrils were interlaced with one another in longitudinal and transverse directions and　anastomosed a little. There was a chalaziferous layer on the surface of the outer layer. It was composed of bundles or sheets of fibrils. The chalaza was revealed as a condensed amorphous mass of gel-like substances.