Observations of trophoblast from normal and pre-eclamptic pregnancies cultured for prolonged periods

Trophoblastic cells from normal and pre-eclamptic pregnancies have been cultured for prolonged periods of time in vitro. The growth characteristics, morphology and hormone production in vitro were similar in both. These results suggest that given a comparable environment in vitro, trophoblast from both normal and pre-eclamptic pregnancies does not behave differently. It is suggested, therefore, that the changes classically described in placentae from pre-eclamptic pregnancies are probably secondary to maternal disease rather than a reflection of an altered trophoblast.