Energy metabolism of cells in the macula flava of the newborn vocal fold from the aspect of mitochondrial microstructure.

Objective Cells in the vocal fold of maculae flavae are likely to be tissue stem cells. Energy metabolism of the cells in newborn maculae flavae was investigated from the aspect of mitochondrial microstructure. Method Five normal newborn vocal folds were investigated under transmission electron microscopy. Results Mitochondria consisted of a double membrane bounded body containing matrices and a system of cristae. However, these membranes were ambiguous. In each mitochondrion, the lamellar cristae were sparse. Intercristal space was occupied by a mitochondrial matrix. Some mitochondria had fused to lipid droplets and rough endoplasmic reticulum, and both the mitochondrial outer and inner membranes had incarcerated and disappeared. Conclusion The features of the mitochondria of the cells in the newborn maculae flavae showed that their metabolic activity and oxidative phosphorylation were low. The metabolism of the cells in the newborn maculae flavae seems to be favourable to maintain the stemness and undifferentiation of the cells.