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Updated: Jul 20, 2026
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Isolation of Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells with High Yields and Low Damage
Published on: July 5, 2024
Effect of umbilical ring constriction on Wharton's jelly
S M Skulstad1, M Ulriksen, S Rasmussen
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. svein.skulstad@uib.no
Summary
Umbilical ring constriction impacts Wharton's jelly volume by affecting umbilical vein hemodynamics. These effects on umbilical cord size and Wharton's jelly are specific to female fetuses.
Area of Science:
- Fetal development
- Obstetrics
- Perinatal medicine
Background:
- Wharton's jelly turgor is influenced by osmotic and hydrostatic pressures.
- Umbilical cord structure is crucial for fetal well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that umbilical ring constriction affects umbilical venous hemodynamics.
- To determine the impact of umbilical ring constriction on Wharton's jelly volume.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional sonographic study of 237 singleton pregnancies (20-41 weeks gestation).
- Measurement of umbilical cord and vessel areas to calculate Wharton's jelly area.
- Assessment of umbilical vein constriction using the Bernoulli equation and blood velocity.
- Regression analysis and SD-score statistics for data analysis, including gender-specific effects.
Main Results:
- Umbilical cord and Wharton's jelly areas increased with gestational age until 31-32 weeks, then stabilized.
- Wharton's jelly occupied approximately 70% of cord area at mid-gestation, decreasing to 60% after 31 weeks.
- Umbilical vein constriction correlated with reduced cord and Wharton's jelly areas in female fetuses, but not in males.
Conclusions:
- Physiological umbilical ring constriction influences umbilical vein hemodynamics.
- This constriction has corresponding effects on umbilical cord cross-sectional area and Wharton's jelly volume.
- The observed effects of umbilical ring constriction are gender-specific.
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