Abstract

We used morphometric analysis to determine if placental structure is modified by carbon monoxide, Camm-Hartley guinea pigs were exposed throughout gestation to chronic conditions of carbon monoxide (averaging about 180 parts per million). Maternal weight, placental weight, fetal weight, and fetal length were recorded at the time of placental fixation. Using a computerized image analyzer on photomicrographs obtained through light microscopy, we measured maternal and fetal percent vessel volumes, surface areas, and vessel numbers. Maternal vessel numbers and surface area remained basically unchanged but decreased slightly. Maternal percent volume decreased 15%. However, fetal capillary number increased 35% (p < 0.01) from a control value of 2325 ± 184 per mm2 (SE of mean) of tissue surface to 3140 ± 101 (SE of mean) per mm2 of tissue surface and total fetal surface area increased 30% (p < 0.05) from 0.430 ± 0.038 (SE of mean) m2 to 0.558 ± 0.041 (SE of mean) m2. Fetal percent volume remained unchanged. The ratio of placental to fetal weight increased 25% (p < 0.01) from 67 ± 3 (SE of mean) g/kg to 84 ± 4 (SE of mean) g/kg. Fetal weight was correlated with both placental weight (p < 0.01) and with total maternal surface area (p < 0.02). The slight decrease in maternal surface area suggests that a slight decrease in placental function as determined by diffusing capacity should occur, while the increase in fetal capillaries suggests a compensatory response to hypoxic conditions.

LLU Discipline

Biology

Department

Biology

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

A. Dwight Smith

Second Advisor

Raymond D. Gilbert

Third Advisor

Raymond E. Ryckman

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Degree Level

M.A.

Year Degree Awarded

1981

Date (Title Page)

6-1981

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Placenta; Carbon Monoxide -- adverse effects; Guinea Pigs -- microbiology

Type

Thesis

Page Count

vi; 44

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

Download

Share

COinS