[Optical immunofluorescence localization of placental lactogen (HPL) in normal human placentas]

Biopsies taken from various parts of normal placentas were treated to determine the localization of human placental lactogen (HPL). Both an immunofluorescence tracer technique as well as the haematoxylin-eosin staining procedure were applied to each slide. The slides were photographed in the microscope and the identical photographs compared to each other. There was great variety in local HPL fluorescence, without any connexion between biopsy site or morphology and immunofluorescence. Areas of syncytiotrophoblast without fluorescence included villi without any signs of morphological pathology, as well as villi with fibrinoid membranes of the syncytial surface or even fibrinoid degeneration of the stroma.