Morphology, histochemistry and glycosylation of the placenta and associated tissues in the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus)

New features of near-term hedgehog placenta and associated tissues are presented, including their glycosylation, and novel yolk sac acinar structures are described. The trophoblast of the placental disc showed significant differences from that underlying Reichert's membrane while the glycan composition of the membrane itself showed some similarity to that of rat thereby implying a degree of biochemical conservation of this structure.