Morfological and functional features of placentas in minor women

Relevance. An in-depth study of the state of feto-placental complex, the characteristics of its reactions in response to hypoxia on the background of juvenile immaturity of minors can help to identify the main directions of the prevention of certain complications of pregnancy and childbirth among minors in the first place — placental insufficiency, preeclampsia, fetal hypoxia. Purpose of the study was to explore features of the histological structure of placentas and expression of HIF-1α and VEGF-A markers in placentas in minors.

Materials and methods. 74 placentas from minors were investigated by histological methods. The comparison group consisted of 25 placentas from healthy women the average reproductive age (20-30 years). The immunohistochemical study was performed in 35 placentas from minors who were divided into groups according to age and the presence or absence of chronic placental insufficiency. To study vascular status of villous tree of placentas were used the monoclonal antibodies of the vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF-A (Clone UG1; 1 : 50, Dako), to assess hypoxia in placenta were used the monoclonal antibodies of hypoxia — inducible factor HIF-1α (H1 alpha 67; 1 : 100, GRTP (Abcam).

Results. It was revealed that the placenta in minors is characterized by hypertrophy (559,5 ± 10,5 g vs. 478,7 ± 12,9 g), it is pathologically immature (33,8% vs. 7,0%), there is significantly greater frequency of chronic placental insufficiency in minors (33,8% versus 4,0%) with significantly lower severity of compensatory-adaptive reactions (86,5% vs. 100%). It is shown increased expression of hypoxia — inducible factor (HIF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) in placentas of minor women with chronic placental insufficiency, compared with placentas of minor women without chronic placental insufficiency.

Conclusion. Chronic placental insufficiency at the time of birth, detectable more frequently in minor patients can make a difference in violation of adaptive mechanisms and quality of life of children in the postnatal period. Increased expression of HIF-1α and VEGF-A in the placentas of minor women with chronic placental insufficiency reflects activation of angiogenesis in response to intrauterine fetal hypoxia in chronic placental insufficiency.