The human placenta does not contain lipofuscin pigment.
Autofluorescent granules are present in the villous syncytiotrophoblast of the human placenta, most prominently during the first trimester. These granules differ in both size and hue from classical lipofuscin granules, have different staining characteristics, and are shown by electron microscopy to be syncytial lipid droplets. It is concluded that previous reports of the presence of lipofuscin pigment in the placenta are unfounded.
D002470:Cell Survival; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008062:Lipofuscin / Q000378:metabolism*; D010860:Pigments, Biological / Q000378:metabolism*; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011247:Pregnancy
D008062:Lipofuscin; D010860:Pigments, Biological