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Cellular Proliferation in the Placenta in Normal Human Pregnancy and Pregnancy Complicated by Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom; School of Human Development, New Maternity Unit. City Hospital, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, United Kingdom, NG5 1PB; steve.ankers-smith{at}nottingham.ac.uk

Emlyn Price, BSc

Matthew J. Hewitt, MB,BS

E. Malcolm Symonds, MD

Philip N. Baker, DM

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom

Objective: To determine the incidence of cellular proliferation in the placenta throughout the three trimesters of normal pregnancy, and in the third trimester of pregnancy complicated by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

Methods: Placental samples were obtained from 17 first-trimester pregnancies, 9 second-trimester pregnancies, 33 uncomplicated third-trimester pregnancies, and 21 third-trimester pregnancies complicated by IUGR. These samples were then stained by immunohistochemical technique, using the monoclonal antibody MIB-1.

Results: The incidences of cellular proliferation in the four groups were as follows: first trimester (n = 17): 11.8% of cells (8.51-17.04); second trimester (n = 9): 9.88% of cells (5.04-10.99); normal third trimester (n = 33): 3.15% of cells (2.07-3.7); IUGR third trimester (n = 21): 3.7% of cells (3.02-4.85). The decline in cellular proliferation throught the three trimesters of pregnancy was statistically significant (P < .0001 Kruskall-Wallis test). The Spearman rank correlation for prliferative index against gestational age had a P value less than .0001 (Rho corrected for ties = -0.81). There was no statiastically significant difference in the incidence of cellular proliferation between normal third-trimester and IUGR third-trimester samples.

Conclusion: The incidence of cellular proliferation in the placenta declines as pregnancy progresses, a finding that agrees with previous work by others. The incidence of cellular proliferation was not altered in cases of IUGR.

Key Words: Placenta • cellular proliferation • intrauterine growth restriction • trophoblast • apoptosis

Journal of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation, Vol. 5, No. 6, 317-323 (1998)
DOI: 10.1177/107155769800500607


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