Abstract
Changes in proliferation of rabbit placental cells during pregnancy were evaluated by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation into the DNA. Cells were isolated and purified from rabbit placental tissues at different stages of pregnancy (day 11, 17, 23 or 29). BrdU incorporation as detected by an ELISA, indicated that cells isolated on day 11 were mitotically active in growth factor free medium. However, BrdU incorporation decreased as pregnancy progressed; this paral-leled the change in placental weight gain. These results suggest that rabbit placental growth may be regulated not only by maternal factors but also by local factors.
