Human placental villi contain stromal macrovesicles associated with networks of stellate cells.

ABSTRACT: Placental function is essential for fetal development and establishing the foundations for lifelong health. The placental villous stroma is a connective tissue layer that supports the fetal capillaries and villous trophoblast. All the nutrients that cross the placenta must also cross the stroma, and yet little is known about this region. This study uses high-resolution three-dimensional imaging to explore the structural complexity of this region within the placental villi. Serial block-face scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy were used to image the placental villous stroma in three-dimensions. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to generate high resolution two-dimensional images. Stereological approaches were used to quantify volumes of stromal constituents. Th

SUBMITTER: Palaiologou E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6904625 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature