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Ultrastructure of human umbilical vessels in pre-eclampsia
1Department of Anatomy, Inonu University, School of Medicine, Malatya, Turkey.
Objective:
Our objective in this study was to investigate the ultrastructure of endothelial and muscle cells of human umbilical vessels in both normal and pre-eclamptic pregnancies.
Methods:
Ten umbilical cords from pre-eclamptic (36, 38 and 40 weeks) and four from normal pregnancies (40 weeks) were collected immediately after vaginal deliveries. Umbilical veins and arteries were isolated and fixed in phosphate-buffered 2.5% glutaraldehyde solution (pH 7.2) for 4 h and postfixed with 1% osmium tetroxide at 4 degrees C for 2 h. The sections were embedded in Araldit CY 212. Ultrathin sections were stained with uranyl acetate, examined and photographed.
Results:
Human umbilical vessel endothelial cells showed ultrastructural changes in pre-eclamptic patients. Weibel-Palade bodies and some organelles such as rough endoplasmic reticulum were found in increased numbers in venous endothelial cells. Accumulations of granular material were detected under the venous endothelium.
Conclusion:
The endothelial and muscle cells of the umbilical vessels from pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia showed morphological changes.