title: Stereological assessment of placental morphology in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To apply stereology for the detection of possibly morphological abnormalities in placentas of women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective case-control study of placentas from untreated and UDCA-treated ICP, respectively, and normal pregnancies, examined for morphological differences by systematic random sampling generated by computerized stereology methodology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Volume of placenta, surface area of terminal villi and capillaries, volume fraction of collagen, number of syncytial knots, and chorangiosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Surface area of terminal villi and capillaries, and number of syncytial knots were higher in placentas from all ICP, as compared to controls (p < 0.01). A reduction of collagen was found in placentas from UDCA-treated ICP, both in comparison to placentas from untreated ICP and controls (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ICP affects the placenta morphologically as shown by increased terminal villous and capillary surface area, and number of syncytial knots.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Karolinska Institutet, Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. elisabeth@gynocular.com
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wikström Shemer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thorsell
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Östlund
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Blomgren
authors.forename: H-U
authors.initials: HU
authors.lastname: Marschall
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002196:Capillaries / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002756:Cholagogues and Choleretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002780:Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D015726:Giant Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008853:Microscopy; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D021041:Placental Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D010929:Placentation / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013499:Surface Properties / Q000187:drug effects; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D002756:Cholagogues and Choleretics; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid; D003094:Collagen