Feto-maternal histoincompatibility and placental blood flow

1. We have designed experiments aimed at resolving some of the controversy concerning the effect of histoincompatibility on the development of the fetus and its placenta. 2. Experiments included the generation of pregnancies in which H-2 compatible and H-2 histoincompatible embryos were simultaneously present. Genetic markers (Brachyury and Kink) were used to facilitate determination of the H-2 haplotype. Additional strain combinations were used to analyse the role of non-H-2 differences. 3. In addition to determining fetal and placental weights, blood flow to the placenta was measured by use of radioisotope-labelled microspheres introduced into the arterial circulation. 4. Under the conditions of our experiments we have failed to detect differences in fetal weight, in placental weight, or in placental blood flow. 5. Thus we support the increasingly prevalent view that histo-incompatibility does not necessarily lead to changes in placental or fetal weight, and we add the additional finding that placental blood flow also is not significantly altered as a result of feto-maternal incompatibility.