[Morphofunctional adaptation of the placenta under conditions of natural high-altitude hypoxia].

Twenty-six III trimester placentae from Kirghiz puerperas residents of high-altitude regions (2200-3000 m above the sea level) and 22 such placentae from female residents of the plains (group I and II, respectively) were subjected to ultrasonic placentometry and organo-stereohistometry. Group I placentae appeared to fall behind in thickness on weeks 28, 32 and 36 as well as in development on the last 4 weeks which is coupled with synchronous reduction of weight of mature newborns and relevant placentae. Enhanced morphofunctional activity, excessive vasculature of villous network, increased epithelial volume of the villi and vascular-syncytial membranes, intensive growth of separate cotyledons were characteristic for placentae exposed to high-altitude factors, which also bore the signs of dysadaptation manifesting with more frequent infarctions, adherent villi, hemorrhages.