Objective:
We aimed in this study to determine if trophoblastic apoptosis is increased in placentas from preeclamptic women compared to healthy term control placentas.
Patients and methods:
28 preeclamptic and 10 healthy control placentas were used for the study. Apoptosis in the trophoblasts were analyzed using TUNEL method and electron microscopy techniques.
Results:
Both groups were comparable in terms of age and parity. However, mean gestational week was significantly lower (33.2±3.2 vs. 39.1±0.5 p<0.0001, respectively), and apoptotic rate in the trophoblasts were significantly higher (40.7±17.9 vs. 25.2±10.6, p<0.05, respectively) in the preeclamptic group compared to controls.
Conclusion:
These results suggest that trophoblast apoptosis is increased in the preeclamptic placentas and that this form of apoptosis is different from that occurring with placental aging as a consequence of cell turnover.
Keywords: Apoptosis, preeclampsia, pregnancy, placenta, trophoblast, TUNEL, electron microscopy