Immunohistochemical evaluation of apoptosis in placentae from normal and intrauterine growth-restricted pregnancies

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the extent of apoptosis within the human placenta in tissues from normotensive term pregnancies and those complicated by intrauterine growth-restriction (IUGR).

Methods: A total of 18 placentas, 10 obtained from uncomplicated term gestations and 8 from intrauterine growth restricted fetuses were included in this study. Apoptosis was identified using a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triophosphate nick end-labeling technique (TUNEL, Boehringer, Mannheim, Germany) in paraffin-embedded sections.

Results: Apoptosis was predominantly detected in the villous trophoblast and stromal tissue. There were no differences in the incidence of apoptosis in different parts of the same placenta. The apoptotic index in placental tissue from uncomplicated pregnancies was 0.93 +/- 0.12. Significantly more apoptotic nuclei were detected in the placental tissue from IUGR gestation (4.2 +/- 2.96, p < 0.01).

Conclusion: These results might point toward a possible role of apoptosis in the pathophysiology of intrauterine growth-restriction.