Comparison of the Morphology and Morphometry of Placenta from Normal and Assisted Reproduction in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Abstract

The placenta is a fetomaternal organ which connects the developing fetus to the mother. This connection is both structural and functional. This study is aimed at examining the relationship between placental morphology and morphometry in normal and assisted reproduction (ART) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. A case-controlled descriptive, prospective cross-sectional study was done using placentas from normal and assisted reproduction, with a sample size (n=96. The placenta was obtained immediately after delivery, and the membrane was trimmed off to expose the chorionic plate. Morphologic parameters were recorded, while measurements were taken for morphometric parameters. The means of placental morphometry were determined in normal and assisted reproduction. A statistically significant relationship (p< 0.05) was found to exist between morphometric parameters of the placenta in normal and assisted reproduction. At the confidence level (p< 0.05), all the morphometric parameters of the placenta, except the number of cotyledons and volume of placenta, showed a significant difference in normal and assisted reproduction. There was no statistically significant difference in the morphology of the placenta in normal and assisted reproduction, except for umbilical cord insertion. Assisted reproduction caused a significant effect on the morphometry of the placenta, umbilical cord insertion and feto-placental ratio. Our study showed that assisted reproduction increases the thickness and diameter of the placenta, but causes a reduction in placental weight and feto-placental ratio. ART increased the incidence of central and velamentous insertion but decreased eccentric and marginal insertion of the umbilical cord. Our study provides baseline data on morphometric parameters of the placenta in normal (spontaneous) and assisted production in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. These findings contribute to the global understanding of the dynamics of the effect of hormonal drugs used in ART.