en |
Assessment of apoptosis and appearance of hepatocyte growth factor in placenta at different gestational ages: A cross-sectional study
Kreicberga, Ilze; Junga, Anna & Pilmane, Māra
Abstract
Background: Fetal growth is determined by the interaction between mother and
fetus using the placental interface throughout the pregnancy.
Objective: To research apoptosis and appearance of hepatocyte growth
factor (HGF) in placentas of different gestational ages and to describe the
anthropometrical and clinical indices of mothers and newborns.
Materials and Methods: The study material was obtained from 53 human
immunodeficiency virus negative pregnant women of legal age without systemic
diseases. The staining of placental apoptotic cells was processed by a standard in
situ cell death detection kit. The detection of HGF was provided by the ImmunoCruz
goat ABC Staining System protocol sc-2023. Relative distribution of positive
structures was evaluated using the semiquantitative counting method.
Results: The mean rank value of the amount of HGF-containing cells
(cytotrophoblasts, syncytiotrophoblasts, extravillous trophoblasts, Höfbauer
cells, and cells of extraembryonic mesoderm) was 1.61 ± 0.94. Apoptotic cells
(cytotrophoblasts, syncytiotrophoblasts, extravillous trophoblasts, and cells of
extraembryonic mesoderm) were found in all placental samples of various
gestational ages (term 13.00 ± 13.05 and preterm 27.00 ± 18.25); in general, their
amount decreased with advancing gestational age of the placenta (p < 0.01).
Conclusion: Weight of a placenta directly depends on the gestational age and
correlates with the main fetal anthropometrical parameters (weight, length, and
head and chest circumferences). The decrease in HGF-containing and apoptotic
cells with advancing gestation depends on the adaptation potential of the placenta,
proving the other ways of cellular disposition.
Keywords
Pregnancy; Placenta; Gestational age; Apoptosis; Immunohistochemistry.
|