Placental vascularization and apoptosis in Type-1 and gestational DM.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to analyze the alteration in vascularization and apoptosis in the placentas of patients with Type 1 or gestational diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Placental samples drawn from normal (n = 6), GDM (n = 6), and Type 1 DM (n = 6) pregnancies were rinsed in PBS and fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde. The obtained sections were examined by both light and electron microscopy. Subsequently, immunohistochemical staining was performed to evaluate apoptosis and vascularization with caspase-9 and VEGF antibodies. RESULTS: Capillary structures in various sizes, both in free and in stem villi, were observed to be denser in the GDM group than in the control and Type-1 DM groups, utilizing electron microscopy. Similarly, when compared with Type-1 DM and controls, a decreased amount of microvilli with more irregularity and blunting on the villus surface was detected. GDM group showed increased immunoreactivity in capillaries of stem villi, free villi, and endothelial cells when compared with Type-1 DM and control groups. Regarding the immunohistochemical staining with VEGF, Type-1 DM, and GDM groups showed stronger immunoreactivity than the control group, especially in syncytiotrophoblastic cell nuclei and stromal cell nuclei. However, there was no significant difference between Type-1 DM and GDM groups. CONCLUSION: Type-1 DM and GDM placentas showed increased villous stromal capillarization, increased immunoreactivity with VEGF and caspase-9, and increased syncytial nodes, which may develop secondary to placental hypoxia-ischemia. However, more participants are needed to confirm these conclusions.

Surface alteration in aging of rat tubae uterinae epithelium.

OBJECTIVE: Aim of the study was evaluating arrangement of apical surface differentiation in cross-sections of tuba uterinae in different age groups by scanning electron microscope. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six groups were created with 36 Wistar rat; 1(st) group: neonate (1(th) day) (n=6), 2(nd) group: young (22(nd) day) (n=6), 3(rd) group: prepubertal (4-6 week) (n=6), 4(th) group: adult (10 week) (n=6), 5(th) group: premenopausal (8 month) (n=6), 6(th) group: old (18-20 month) (n=6). Tissue samples examined with scanning electron microscope. RESULTS: When surface differentiations of epithelial cells in tubae uterinae from birth to menopause were considered, it was determined that the cell with microvilli are first maturing cells and degenerated by ages first. It was observed that the ciliated cells are last maturing cells and subsisting as a mature cell during the postmenopausal period. CONCLUSION: Towards the menopause degeneration in microvillous cells together with lack of secretion may affect sperm nutrition adversely. The increase of ciliated cells in aging may be a physiological result related to the active role of cilia movement in the sperm and early embryo transport against a probable decrease in muscle contraction in aging.