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Ultrastructure of Human Fetal Placental Membranes in Chorioamnionitis and Meconium Exposure

From the Department of Pathology, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University and Babies Hospital, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York NY.
*Career Scientist of the Health Research Council of the City of New York under Contract No. 1-300.

Abstract

Human fetal placental membranes undergoing inflammatory changes and exposed to meconium were investigated by electron microscope. The lesion of chorioamnionitis was characterized by extensive infiltration of the chorion by neutrophils with phagocytic granules. Occasional focal areas of necrosis of the amniotic epithelium with fragmentation of the basement membrane were noted. Meconium induced an exaggeration of the normal vacuolation of the amniotic cytoplasm with compression of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear indentation. Lysosomes storing dense material were present in the fibroblasts of the amniotic and chorionic stroma. Vacuoles containing a moderately dense material bulged into dilated intercellular channels, suggesting active participation in transfer of material between the amniotic cavity and the placenta.