Electron-Microscopic Findings of Placentae of Pregnancy Toxemia, especially, their Chorionic Epithelium

Abstract

We observed the chorionic epithelium with acute (pure) and mixed pregnancy toxemia using an electron microscope. The results were as follows:
1. The microvilli of syncytial epithelium were reduced in length and flattened in acute (pure) pregnancy toxemia, and the shortening of microvilli was further advanced in specimens with mixed toxemia.
2. The endoplasmic reticulum of syncytial epithelium with acute (pure) pregnancy toxemia was swollen and vacuolated, and in specimens with mixed pregnancy toxemia the swelling and the vacuolation were more intensified.
3. A little variation is found in the nucleus, mitochondria, etc. of the syncytial epithelium.