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Magnetic resonance imaging provides a non-invasive method for investigating functional changes in the human placenta in vivo. In this study, we combine a magnetic resonance imaging technique called magnetization transfer with established stereological methods in order to analyse and compare placentae from normal (16-36 weeks of gestation) and complicated (pre-eclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction) pregnancies. Magnetization transfer provided an in vivo measure of the ratio of bound protons:total protons and stereological analysis of histological sections was used to estimate a residual:total volume ratio (the ratio of non-vascular volume to total placental volume). Statistical comparisons were drawn using tests for related samples (longitudinal data) or one-way analysis of variance (cross-sectional data). We found no significant differences in magnetization transfer between gestational age groups or between uncomplicated pregnancies and pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia or intrauterine growth restriction. In comparable groups of different subjects, stereological analyses also failed to demonstrate significant differences in residual:total volume ratios. We conclude that [a] the ratio of non-vascular volume:total placental volume does not alter between 16 and 36 weeks of normal gestation, and [b] this integrated response is also conserved in pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.placenta.2003.10.011

Type

Journal article

Journal

Placenta

Publication Date

05/2004

Volume

25

Pages

408 - 412

Keywords

Birth Weight, Blood Vessels, Data Interpretation, Statistical, Echo-Planar Imaging, Female, Fetal Growth Retardation, Gestational Age, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Patient Selection, Placenta, Placental Circulation, Pre-Eclampsia, Pregnancy