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

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.