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

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Abstract

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.

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Authors and Affiliations

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

    Stephen C. Smith MB,ChB, Emlyn Price BSc, Matthew J. Hewitt MB,BS, E. Malcolm Symonds MD & Philip N. Baker DM

Authors
  1. Stephen C. Smith MB,ChB
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  2. Emlyn Price BSc
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  3. Matthew J. Hewitt MB,BS
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  4. E. Malcolm Symonds MD
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  5. Philip N. Baker DM
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stephen C. Smith MB,ChB.

Additional information

Financial support was provided by the Trent Regional Health Authority, UK, Directorate of Research and Development. Stephen C. Smith is a WellBeing research training fellow.

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Smith, S.C., Price, E., Hewitt, M.J. et al. Cellular Proliferation in the Placenta in Normal Human Pregnancy and Pregnancy Complicated by Intrauterine Growth Restriction. Reprod. Sci. 5, 317–323 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1177/107155769800500607

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