Physiology of maternal-fetal relationship through the extracorporeal circulation of the human placenta

Transfer Across Perfused Human Placenta. II. Free Fatty Acids

“…Szabo et al [19] have studied the transport of palmitic acid across human placenta using the instrumentation originally described by Krantz et al [12]. Although the perfusion system described by Krantz et al is the same in principle as the one used in our laboratory, there are important differences in detail, which have been discussed previously [17].…”

<i>In vitro</i> Perfusion Studies of the Human Placenta

“…The lack of tight apposition be tween the maternal placental surface and the flat basilar plate of the arti ficial uterus has been one of the objectionable features of the model devised by K rantz etal. [16].…”

“…The present report attempts to depict the results of our efforts to devise a mechanical apparatus which mimics more nearly than others the physiologic state in utero and achieves a satisfactory perfusion of the whole human placenta on both the maternal and fetal sides. The authors believe that certain alterations in the design of existing models, notably that of K rantz et al [16], have resulted in development of a research tool which minimizes some of the operational problems. Data closely approximating those observed in vivo were obtain able during short term perfusion experiments for periods of 3-5 h. The critical features relating to completeness of perfusion and evidence of pla cental viability, as well as prompt tissue responses to several physiological variables, are offered as evidence of the efficiency of this apparatus under normal operating conditions for the time periods specified.…”

“…Perhaps the best in vitro method to date of achieving adequate intervillous space perfusion makes use of semi-rigid polyethylene tubes fastened in the base of an artificial uterine chamber through the decidua basalis [15,16]. Some have resorted to other approaches such as the study of combined perfusates emerging from the maternal surface and from the fetal circulation in a single 'lung' for oxygenation, a technique similar to that of Young et al [34] which was designed for perfusing rabbit livers.…”

A rapid procedure for testing the integrity of the maternal-fetal barrier in spontaneously delivered placentas

“…On the other hand, investigators may have been impeded in their study by the uncertainty äs to whether the available placenta was injured or intact. Over several years we have developed in collaboration with GAGEL and following the experimental designs of KRANTZ and coworkers [14,15,4,8,9,13] NESBITT et al [21], äs well äs HAMRIN et al [7] a modern apparatus equipped for the bilateral long-term perfusion of spontaneously delivered human placentas [20], stressing the study of both the most favorable experimental conditions äs well äs possible interfering factors (see also KIRCHNER and LEMTIS [11,12] a lengthy perfusion experiment within a few minutes whether the maternal-fetal barrier of the experimental placenta is intact. j…”