PLACENTAE OF FETUSES WITH CHROMOSOME-16 TRISOMY - A MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF THE INTERCHANGE CHORIONIC VILLI

We have studied chorionic villi from 38 placentae obtained from sponta neous abortions at 7 to 12 weeks of pregnancy. Samples were separated into four groups: (1) early normal (7-9 weeks of pregnancy, normal kar yotype); (2) late normal (10-12 weeks of pregnancy, normal karyotype); (3) early trisomic (7-9 weeks of pregnancy, trisomy 16 karyotype); an d (4) late trisomic (10-12 weeks of pregnancy, trisomy 16 karyotype). Villous area, trophoblastic area, stromal area and cell density were a nalysed through morphometric studies in serial sections. These were st ained with haematoxylin-eosin-Alcian blue, picrosirius and diastase-pe riodic acid Schiff techniques. Early trisomic villi were not overtly d ifferent from normal karyotype villi. In contrast, late trisomy 16 cho rionic villi had a smaller area, and the chorionic mesenchyme showed l ower collagen and cell density. The morphological differences in villi described here could suggest an inability to maintain normal rates of proliferation and metabolic interchange of placentae with a chromosom e 16 trisomy. Med Sci Res 26:507-509 (C) 1998 Lippincott Williams & Wi lkins.