NUCLEAR MICROANALYSIS OF THE HUMAN AMNION - A STUDY OF IONIC CELLULAR-EXCHANGES

The epithelial cells of the human amniotic membrane have been extensiv ely studied by electrophysiologists with the aim of elucidating the me chanisms of transmembrane ionic transfers. In order to provide complem entary information about this model, nuclear microanalysis was perform ed using the CENBG ion microbeam. Quantitative mapping of the human am nion was carried out and the distributions of most mono- and divalent ions involved in cellular pathways (Na+, Mg2+, Cl-, Ca2+) were determi ned. The ionic cellular content was also compared, before and after in cubation in a Hanks' physiological fluid and the resultant ions transf ers were determined. The aim of this paper is to expose the advances o f this experimental model, more particularly after the development of simulation programs which improved the accuracy of PIXE analysis in th e measurement of low energy X-rays emitters. Statistically significant results can now be extracted and can be explained taking into account the results of previous electrophysiological experiments.