[Gross characteristics of placentas from an assisted reproduction program].

INTRODUCTION

Even though placentas from assisted reproduction programs often differ from placentas of women who conceived naturally, they are rarely examined. The aim of our investigation was to determine some gross characteristics of placentas of women who conceived with assisted reproduction.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

We examined 30 placentas from an assisted reproduction program (20 from in vitro fertilization and 10 from intrauterine insemination) and 30 placentas of women who conceived naturally. All women were age matched. All the women were at term.

RESULTS

The mean weight of placentas from assisted reproduction program was 573 g and of those after natural conception--582.67g. The mean length of the umbilical cords was 64.3cm after assisted reproduction and 66.3cm after natural conception. The mean placenta thickness after assisted reproduction was 2,22 cm and after natural conception 2.28 cm. Eight placentas of the study group had a marginal insertion of the umbilical cord, which lead to a statistically significant difference when compared to placentas of women who conceived naturally: chi-square = 7.07; p>0.01.

DISCUSSION: Marginal cord insertion into the placenta after assisted reproduction is also often described in the literature (as a possible "consequence" of embryo-transfer).

CONCLUSION

There were no statistically significant differences in the mean weight and dimensions of placentas, length of the umbilical cord, gross pathological features of placentas and cords, mean birth weight of babies and placental/fetal ratios between women from assisted reproduction program and those who conceived naturally.