Resumo

CASTEJON, Olivar; LOPEZ, Ángela J  e  CASTEJON, Oliver C. Cambios ultraestructurales del trofoblasto en los casos de hipoxia durante la preeclampsia. Rev Obstet Ginecol Venez [online]. 2008, vol.68, n.3, pp.168-174. ISSN 0048-7732.

Objective: To examine the ultrastructure of the syncytiotrophoblast in placentae of pregnant woman with pre-eclampsia is the objetive of this work with special reference to the effect of hypoxia on the fine structure of the tissue. Method: Ten placentae at term affected by pre-eclampsia were taken immediately after delivery by caesarea and from each one three biopsies from maternal surface were dissected in delivery room in specimens of 2 a 5 mm and fixed by immersion in 4 % glutaraldeyde - 0.1 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, at 4° C. Later, they were divided into 1- mm fragments and immersed in a fresh similar solution for periods varying from 2 to 72 hours followed by secondary fixation in 1 % osmium tetroxide - 0.1 M phosphate buffer for 1 hour. The samples were processed according to the conventional procedures of transmission electron microscopy for their observation. Setting: Laboratory of electron microscopy from CIADANA, Faculty of Sciences of Health, Maracay. Results: The findings reveal prolongations of the plasmamembrane or microvilli of the syncytium of different forms which seem release of the surface. The basal membrane of the syncytium appeared thickened. Swollen mitochondria in diverse degenerative grade were seen with particles electron dense in their matrix. Apical regions of cytoplasm seem detach to maternal circulation. Numerous intracytoplasmic vacuoles and dilated cisterns of the rough endoplasmic reticulum were seen into cytoplasm. Interruptions of the syncytial plasmamembrane and regions of cytoplasm withouth plasma membrana were observed. Conclusion: Fragments of syncytium detached from trophoblast surface suggest to be the corpuscles that damage the endothelium of the unity placental - feto - maternal and can be the stimulus to the perturbation of endothelial cell function in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia.

Palavras-chave : Syncytial fragments; Hypoxia; Pre-eclampsia.