EVIDENCE FOR DECIDUA - TROPHOBLAST INTERACTIONS IN EARLY HUMAN-PREGNANCY

Medium conditioned by decidual cells decreased the growth of cultured BeWo choriocarcinoma cells. The degree of inhibition was dependent on the concentration of the conditioned medium used, and suggested that m aternal decidua might regulate the growth of the fetal placenta. Mediu m from BeWo cells and primary trophoblast had the opposing effect and increased the growth of cultured decidual cells for up to 120 h of cul ture. These results suggest that a regulatory loop to control placenta l and decidual growth exists at the materno - fetal interface, and thi s may be an important factor in the development of adequate placentati on and the subsequent growth of the placenta during pregnancy.