title: Decreased vascularization and cell proliferation in placentas of intrauterine growth-restricted fetuses with abnormal umbilical artery flow velocity waveforms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to compare the morphologic features of placentas in severe intrauterine fetal growth restriction with abnormal umbilical artery blood flow velocity waveforms and normal gestation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immunohistochemical methods were used to evaluate cell proliferation, vascular density, and alpha-smooth muscle actin expression by stromal cells in a group of 9 age-matched intrauterine growth-restricted and control placentas at 25 to 41 weeks of gestation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fewer MIB1-positive nuclei were observed in both trophoblast and stromal cell populations in intrauterine growth restriction, which indicates fewer cells in cycle. Furthermore, a greatly reduced vascular density was observed, along with higher levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin expression in stromal cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intrauterine growth-restricted placentas show reduced cell proliferation in both trophoblast and stromal cell compartments. Peripheral villous vascularization is highly reduced.
authors.affiliation: Division of High Risk Pregnancy, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. cpchen@ms2.mmh.org.tw
authors.forename: Chie-Pein
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Rekha
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bajoria
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Aplin
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000032:analysis; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D002455:Cell Division; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000737:chemistry; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D000199:Actins