COLLAGEN AND GLYCOSAMINOGLYCANS OF WHARTONS JELLY AND THEIR ALTERATIONS IN EPH-GESTOSIS

Some prenatal pathological processes may be caused by biochemical and morphological alterations in the umbilical cord (UC). EPH-gestosis is the most common pregnancy-associated pathological process. For these r easons the role of collagen and-glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) of UC in pat hobiochemistry of this syndrome seems be important. We studied histolo gy of extracellular matrix components, quantity, solubility and molecu lar polymorphism of collagen, proportional relationships between vario us types of collagen, the amounts of GAGs and proportional relationshi ps between them in Wharton's jelly of control newborns delivered by he althy mothers and those delivered by mothers with EPH-gestosis. We fou nd that Wharton's jelly is abundant in collagen and GAGs. This collage n is very insoluble and resistant to the action of depolymerizing agen ts (4% EDTA-Na-2, pepsin). Types I, III and V collagens were isolated and quantified. Hyaluronic acid constitutes about 70%, whereas sulphat ed GAGs constitute about 30% of total GAGs. EPH-gestosis is accompanie d by significant increase in sulphated GAGs: hyaluronic acid ratio. Th e EPH-gestosis-associated alterations in Wharton's jelly correspond to 'premature ageing' of this tissue.