Abstract
Investigations have been carried out on the effect of maternal protein free diet on the placenta of laboratory mice of Balb/C strain. The thickness of placental barrier was measured. Placental weight, fetal weight, fetal numbers were also calculated and histological study was also done. Animal husbandry and the day of conception were arranged. Pregnant mice were dissected at days (12th, 14th, and 18th) of gestation. Thirty placentas from mice on protein free diet and fifteen placentas from mice on control diet, were taken, stained by haematoxylin and eosin and examined under light microscope with screen. The following results are subsequently obtained: 1. Reduction in fetal number and weight of mice after protein malnutrition, in comparison to their control at the same stage of gestation. 2. Reduction in placental weight of mice after protein malnutrition, in comparison to their control at the same stage of gestation. 3. Reduction in the thickness of trophoblastic layers of placental barrier in mice after protein malnutrition, which are measured by using light microscope with screen and scientific ruler. 4. Morphological changes showed thin placental barrier, with basophilic cytoplasm and degenerated nuclei. Areas of degeneration infiltrated with phagocytic cells with increase in the number and size of blood vessels were seen. These changes may affect the placental function, which may be the main cause of decrease in fetal weight (intra uterine growth retardation), placental weight and fetal number.
Highlights
Investigations have been carried out on the effect of maternal protein free diet on the placenta of laboratory mice of Balb/C strain
The results showed that there is a decrease in trophoblastic layers thickness at day 12th of gestation, which is started at the same time of placental development and continues at days 14th, and 18th of gestation of the experimental mice in comparison to the control mice
The results have been reported previously by Jbara et al[17], depending on morphological observation. They suggest that the great reduction in the thickness of trophoblastic layers is to compensate for the deficiency in the amount of nutrition, which is in turn allows more blood coming in to the maternal blood spaces[17]
Summary
Investigations have been carried out on the effect of maternal protein free diet on the placenta of laboratory mice of Balb/C strain. Reduction in fetal number and weight of mice after protein malnutrition, in comparison to their control at the same stage of gestation. 2. Reduction in placental weight of mice after protein malnutrition, in comparison to their control at the same stage of gestation. 3. Reduction in the thickness of trophoblastic layers of placental barrier in mice after protein malnutrition, which are measured by using light microscope with screen and scientific ruler. Areas of degeneration infiltrated with phagocytic cells with increase in the number and size of blood vessels were seen. These changes may affect the placental function, which may be the main cause of decrease in fetal weight (intra uterine growth retardation), placental weight and fetal number
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