Pattern of adhesive molecules expression in placenta of non-complicated ART pregnancies

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Highlights •No obvious changes are detected in the histological structure of placentas of ART pregnancies. •They show a significant decrease in the syncytiotrophoblast cytoplasmic area. •They show a significant increase in the vessel area and syncytiotrophoblast nuclear area. •No remarkable change in the total villous area and total syncytiotrophoblast % area are detected. •Almost all levels of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and PECAM-1 are increased in placenta as well as in fetal plasma of ART pregnancies.

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Why is it important?

Abstract Objective To investigate changes occurring in the morphometric parameters of chorionic villi and their vessels as well as in adhesive molecules expression in placenta of ART pregnancies. Methods Case-control study including a total of 52 placentas of non-complicated pregnancies of women delivered by spontaneous conception (SC) (n = 26) compared with those of ART (n = 26). Histological and morphometric assessment of fetal chorionic villi as well as the expression of various adhesive molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and PECAM-1) were performed in fetal plasma and placenta. Results Although we did not observe any obvious changes in the histological structure of placenta of ART pregnancies, it showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the syncytiotrophoblast cytoplasmic area accompanied with a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the vessel area and syncytiotrophoblast nuclear area without remarkable change in the total villous area or total syncytiotrophoblast % area. In addition, almost all levels of the assayed adhesive molecules were significantly increased (p < 0.05) in placenta as well as in fetal plasma of ART pregnancies compared with SC. Conclusion We suggested in the current study that the altered adhesive molecules expression accompanying the increased vessel area and decreased syncytial cytoplasm area may indicate a subclinical endothelial stress in placenta of non-complicated ART pregnancies.

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