The association between maternal weight and histological findings in term placental tissue. — ASN Events
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The association between maternal weight and histological findings in term placental tissue. (#520)

Julie Sartori 1 , Ellie Kirov 1 , See Wong 1 , Tharani Senavirathna 1 , Rebekah Skuba 1 , Leslie Beasley 1 , Sanjeev Adhikari 1 , Michelle Cannon 1 , Enoch Anto 1 , Coall David 2
  1. Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
  2. School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia

 

Background: Obesity is fast becoming one of the most common challenges facing expectant mothers during pregnancy. Health risks associated with obesity include gestational diabetes, hypertension, increased induction of labour and foetal growth. Increased maternal weight can lead to alteration in placental tissue integrity, influencing the development and function of the placenta.

Methods: Placental tissue samples were examined for N = 55 participants, across six maternal weight groups (based on weight & BMI on hospital booking). Morphometric histological evaluation for select regions of interest (ROI) include Villous Area Fraction, Intervillous Area Fraction, foetal vessel lumen width and cell composition. Specialised Gomori staining was used to identify the presence of collagen fibres. Image acquisition using Histech (3DHistech Slide scanner - Panoramic 250 Flash III) 20X magnification. Whole slide analyses were performed using QuPath (0.6.0) and open-source ImageJ software (Version 1.54k). Adiponectin expression was measured for select tissue samples (across weight groups) using Immunofluorescence (IF).  

Results: Participant ages ranged from 22–45 years and maternal weight on booking (49.15kg ± 4.66 – 100.99kg ± 6.31). Comparison of H&E staining across maternal weight /BMI subsets revealed participants in the ‘Very Obese at Booking’ group had increased syncytial knot counts (13.71± 4.31), lower Villous Area Fractions (35.21%), greater Intervillous Area Fractions (64.79%) and decreased foetal vessel lumen diameters (58.03 μm ± 13.60). Adiponectin expression (IF) revealed strong, specific localisation within trophoblast nuclei. Significant intensity was noted within foetal blood vessels and signal intensity variation was observed across weight subsets. The EWG group recorded the lowest trimmed placental weight 406.38g.

Conclusion: It is crucial to understand the physiological mechanisms through which maternal obesity impacts placental development and foetal growth. Gross placental morphology, histological morphometry and analyses, are valuable tools for understanding how these mechanisms are mediated through the human placenta.