Ultrastructure of human umbilical vessels in pre-eclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
Our objective in this study was to investigate the ultrastructure of endothelial and muscle cells of human umbilical vessels in both normal and pre-eclamptic pregnancies.


METHODS
Ten umbilical cords from pre-eclamptic (36, 38 and 40 weeks) and four from normal pregnancies (40 weeks) were collected immediately after vaginal deliveries. Umbilical veins and arteries were isolated and fixed in phosphate-buffered 2.5% glutaraldehyde solution (pH 7.2) for 4 h and postfixed with 1% osmium tetroxide at 4 degrees C for 2 h. The sections were embedded in Araldit CY 212. Ultrathin sections were stained with uranyl acetate, examined and photographed.


RESULTS
Human umbilical vessel endothelial cells showed ultrastructural changes in pre-eclamptic patients. Weibel-Palade bodies and some organelles such as rough endoplasmic reticulum were found in increased numbers in venous endothelial cells. Accumulations of granular material were detected under the venous endothelium.


CONCLUSIONS
The endothelial and muscle cells of the umbilical vessels from pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia showed morphological changes.
Cetin
A
A
Department of Anatomy, Inonu University, School of Medicine, Malatya, Turkey.
Kükner
A
A
Oztürk
F
F
D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018870:Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000473:pathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D020302:Weibel-Palade Bodies / Q000648:ultrastructure