Spontaneous contractility of human placental vessels in vitro axipetal and isometric recording.

In vitro contractility of isolated cylindrical segments of chorial arteries and veins from 40 human term placentas was studied. Contractility was recorded by an isometrical and axipetal method. Spontaneous contractility was observed in 75% of the arteries and in 45% of veins. In both types of vessels, contractility was similar and characterized by development of tonic circumferential tension, between 100 and 200 mg/mm. Clonic activity consisting of rhythmic contractions with an average frequency between 0.7 and 0.9/min and an average intensity of 5--40 mg/min was superimposed. Vasoconstrictor drugs (PGF2 alpha, histamine and adrenaline) increase tonic tension without modifying the frequency of clonic activity. It is suggested that spontaneous contractility may be the expression of myogenic excitability related to the regulation of fetal placental blood flow.