[Structural adaptation of the placenta in natural hypoxia at moderate and high altitude]

26 placentas of Kirghiz women from the town of Narin situated at the altitude of 2020 m above the sea level (moderate altitude), 22 placentas of women from Murgab (3600-3800 m above the sea level, high altitude) and 22 placentas of Frunze city (760 m, control) women were studied by means of organo--and stereometry using a standardized schema. A body weight decrease of newborns and placentas was established in the rating: control--moderate--high altitude. "Miniaturization" of foetuses is a response to the natural deficiency of oxygen in the atmospheric air. Moderate hypoxia has a training effect on the placenta while hypoxia associated with high altitude is followed by its dysadaptation. The role of placenta in the mechanisms of the foetus development inhibition under the conditions of natural hypoxia is suggested.