THE DISTRIBUTION OF CFU-C IN HUMAN FETAL BONE MARROW, LIVER, SPLEEN AND PERIPHERAL BLOOD / 解剖学报

ABSTRACT

40 human fetuses were used in this study. The range of fetal age varied from 3 months to full terms. All fetuses used were normal and their parents were healthy. The CFU-C from bone marrow, liver, spleen and peripheral blood were studied in vitro with agar culture technique modified by Metcalf.Experiments proved that the CFU-C of bone marrow may be observed in the fetuses in 3rd month, however, it increased rapidly in 4th month and maintained higher level until the end of fetal life. The progenitor cell population was detected at very high level in liver from 4th month to 6th month fetuses. The number of CFU-C of fetal liver were low in 7—10th month. The circulating progenitor cells in peripheral blood of 4, 5 and 6-month fetuses Were on high level but it was lower than that of liver and bone marrow.