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Updated: Jul 14, 2026

In Vitro Assays to Evaluate the Migration, Invasion, and Proliferation of Immortalized Human First-trimester Trophoblast Cell Lines
Published on: March 5, 2019
Phenytoin but not valproate directly affected in vitro trophoblast differentiation
Siobhan M Quenby1, Sheba Anin, Michelle D Bates
1School of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, University of Liverpool, UK. squenby@liv.ac.uk
Objective:
Epilepsy has been associated with poor obstetric outcomes that could be the result of the epilepsy itself or a direct effect of anti-epileptic medication on placentation. The aim of this study was to investigate any direct effect of anti-epileptic drugs on an established, in vitro bioassay of trophoblast differentiation.
Study Design:
Primary extravillous trophoblast cells were cultured in the presence of phenytoin and sodium valproate at a range of concentrations with appropriate solvent controls. The formation of multinuclear giant cells was used as a marker of trophoblast differentiation.
Results:
Phenytoin inhibited giant multinuclear cell formation in a dose-dependent manner; in contrast sodium valproate had no effect (p=0.011).
Conclusions:
This study found that two anti-epileptic medications induced different effects on an in vitro trophoblast bioassay, suggesting that further research should be aimed at elucidating which anti-epileptic medication is most suitable for pregnant women.
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