Structure-function correlation in the human placenta: the morphometric diffusing capacity for oxygen at full term.

A combination of stereology and physiology is used to estimate the morphometric diffusing capacity for oxygen of the normal human placenta at term. The morphometric diffusing capacity is found to be higher than published values determined by physiological methods. The most likely explanation for this discrepancy is that physiological values are too low because of the effects of shunts, placental oxygen consumption and uneven diffusion:perfusion ratios. Despite the discrepancy, morphometry of histological sections offers a valuable and practicable alternative for comparing the functional potential of the placenta in different species, during normal gestation, disease, experimental treatment and environmental hypoxic stress.