This fascinating book about the placenta tells the story of this underappreciated yet truly remarkable organ. In the nine chapters of this book (the number is not a coincidence), Y.W. Loke touches on how the placenta evolved, describes its development from conception to birth and details the myriad of complex functions it performs. I highly recommend this book for the layperson (non-scientists ...

The presence of progesterone receptors (PR) in the human placenta has been demonstrated using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction technique. It was observed that the amount of PR in the human placenta is less during late gestation. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays with nuclear extract isolated from the first trimester and term revealed three complexes when incubated with [3...

Circulating levels of maternal erythropoietin (EPO) rise during gestation due to increased biosynthesis of the hormone. Our objective was to investigate the human placenta as a potential extrarenal site of EPO production. Using two monoclonal antibodies recognizing different antigenic determinants, we identified immunoreactive EPO associated with villous cytotrophoblast, endovascular and intrav...

Annular placenta is an extremely rare morphological type of human placenta. It is commonly related to placental vessel abnormalities frequently causing antenatal and postnatal hemorrhage and operative delivery. Gravida 4 para 1 had an uneventful course of pregnancy and normal vaginal delivery followed by moderate postpartum hemorrhage. Hemorrhage was found to be local in origin but the placenta...