Stereological Analysis of Mature Human Placenta of Pregnant Women of Different Age

Suada Ramić,Mirna Alečković,Zlata Žigić

doi:10.17305/bjbms.2006.3161

Suada Ramić, Mirna Alečković + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.17305/bjbms.2006.3161

Copy DOI

Abstract

The normal placentas, regular pregnancies and deliveries were structurally examined. The aim of this research was to compare the results and to confirm if there were some difference in the structure of placenta related to the age of pregnant women. We examined 30 human placentas. The examined group of women were divided into two groups: 1) pregnant women 20-35 years old; 2) pregnant women over 35 years old. The stereological method was used. The volume density, absolute volume, the surface density and absolute surface of terminal villi of placentas in younger and older pregnant women were not significantly different. The volume density, absolute volume, the surface density and absolute surface of the other placentas villi in younger pregnant women compared to older ones, were significantly increased (p<0.001). The volume density of fibrinoid of placentas in older pregnant women compared to younger ones was significantly increased (p<0.02). The surface density, absolute volume and absolute surface of fibrinoid in these two examined groups of pregnant women were not significantly different. The volume density of intervillous space of placentas in older pregnant women compared to younger ones was significantly increased (p<0.05). Absolute volumes of intervillous space of placentas in these two examined groups of pregnant women are not significantly different.

Highlights

The basic functional unit of placenta is composed of chorionic villi with epithelial surface and of mesenchimal origin stroma in which blood vessels are embedded
Numerous authors ( ) classified types of the chorionic villi inside the villous tree depending on gestational period of their occurrence and on their function in the course of pregnancy
Referential space was made of terminal villi, other villi, fibrinoid and intervillous space (Figure ) in this researches

Summary

Introduction

The basic functional unit of placenta is composed of chorionic villi with epithelial surface (trophoblast) and of mesenchimal origin stroma in which blood vessels are embedded. Terminal villi are the final branches of the villous tree Blood capillaries of these villi are very enlarged, and they occupy more than of the stroma volume ( ). Since quntitative researches on placentas of different age pregnant women were not performed stereologically in the Tuzla Canton region, our objectives were to analise placentas of younger and older pregnant women morphologically and quantitatively, to find out if there were statistically significant differences among volume densities, absolute volumes, surface densities, and absolute surfaces of the chorionic villas, fibrinoid and intervillous space in the tested placental groups. Morphological researches of placenta enable us to presume conditions for fetus formation and development, especially important in risky pregnancy (EPH gestosis, diabetes mellitus, older mothers)

Objectives

Methods

Conclusion