Chorionic villi

Chorionic villi are villi that sprout from the chorion to provide maximal contact area with maternal blood.

Chorionic villi
Details
Days24
Identifiers
MeSHD002824
Anatomical terminology

They are an essential element in pregnancy from a histomorphologic perspective, and are, by definition, a product of conception. Branches of the umbilical arteries carry embryonic blood to the villi. After circulating through the capillaries of the villi, blood returns to the embryo through the umbilical vein. Thus, villi are part of the border between maternal and fetal blood during pregnancy.

Structure
Primary chorionic villi.
Tertiary chorionic villi.

Villi can also be classified by their relations:

  • Floating villi float freely in the intervillous space. They exhibit a bi-layered epithelium consisting of cytotrophoblasts with overlaying syncytium (syncytiotrophoblast).
  • Anchoring (stem) villi stabilize mechanical integrity of the placental-maternal interface.

Development

The chorion undergoes rapid proliferation and forms numerous processes, the chorionic villi, which invade and destroy the uterine decidua and at the same time absorb from it nutritive materials for the growth of the embryo. They undergo several stages, depending on their composition.

StageDescriptionPeriod of gestationContents
PrimaryThe chorionic villi are at first small and non-vascular.13–15 daystrophoblast only[1]
SecondaryThe villi increase in size and ramify, while the mesoderm grows into them.16–21 daystrophoblast and mesoderm[1]
TertiaryBranches of the umbilical artery and umbilical vein grow into the mesoderm, and in this way the chorionic villi are vascularized.17–22 daystrophoblast, mesoderm, and blood vessels[1]

Until about the end of the second month of pregnancy, the villi cover the entire chorion, and are almost uniform in size—but after then, they develop unequally.

Microanatomy
Histopathology of a chorionic villus, in a tubal pregnancy.

The bulk of the villi consist of connective tissues that contain blood vessels. Most of the cells in the connective tissue core of the villi are fibroblasts. Macrophages known as Hofbauer cells are also present.

Clinical significance

Use for prenatal diagnosis
Main article: Chorionic villus sampling

In 1983, an Italian biologist named Giuseppe Simoni discovered a new method of prenatal diagnosis using chorionic villi.

Stem cell

Chorionic villi are a rich source of stem cells. Biocell Center, a biotech company managed by Giuseppe Simoni, is studying and testing these types of stem cells. Chorionic stem cells, like amniotic stem cells, are uncontroversial multipotent stem cells.[2][3][4]

Infections

Recet studies indicate that the chorionic villi may be susceptible to bacterial[5] and viral infections. Recents findings indicate that ureaplasma parvum can infect the chorionic villi tissues of pregnant women, thereby impacting pregnancy outcome.[6] DNA from JC polyomavirus and Merkel cell polyomavirus has been detected in chorionic villi from pregnant women and women affected by miscarriage.[7][8] DNA from BK polyomavirus has also been detected in the same tissues but to a lesser extent.[7]

Early miscarriage
Gross pathology of chorionic villi after a miscarriage.

In early miscarriage, the finding of chorionic villi in vaginal expulsions is often the only definite confirmation that there was an intrauterine pregnancy rather than an ectopic pregnancy.

Additional images
  • Micrograph showing chorionic villi. Intermediate magnification. H&E stain.
  • Micrograph showing chorionic villi. Very high magnification. H&E stain.
  • Section through the embryo.
  • Transverse section of a chorionic villus.
  • Human embryo of about 28 days, with yolk-sac.

See also

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 60 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

  1. Larsen, William J. : Human embryology. Sherman, Lawrence S.; Potter, S. Steven; Scott, William J. 3. ed.
  2. "European Biotech Company Biocell Center Opens First U.S. Facility for Preservation of Amniotic Stem Cells in Medford, Massachusetts | Reuters". 2009-10-22. Retrieved 2010-01-11.
  3. "Europe's Biocell Center opens Medford office – Daily Business Update – The Boston Globe". 2009-10-22. Retrieved 2010-01-11.
  4. "The Ticker - BostonHerald.com". Retrieved 2010-01-11.
  5. Contini C, Rotondo JC, Magagnoli F, Maritati M, Seraceni S, Graziano A (2019). "Investigation on silent bacterial infections in specimens from pregnant women affected by spontaneous miscarriage". J Cell Physiol. 34 (3): 433–440. doi:10.1002/jcp.26952. PMID 30078192.
  6. Contini C, Rotondo JC, Magagnoli F, Maritati M, Seraceni S, Graziano A, Poggi A, Capucci R, Vesce F, Tognon M, Martini F (2018). "Investigation on silent bacterial infections in specimens from pregnant women affected by spontaneous miscarriage". J Cell Physiol. 234 (1): 100–9107. doi:10.1002/jcp.26952. PMID 30078192.
  7. Tagliapietra A, Rotondo JC, Bononi I, Mazzoni E, Magagnoli F, Maritati M (2019). "Footprints of BK and JC polyomaviruses in specimens from females affected by spontaneous abortion". Hum Reprod. 34 (3): 433–440. doi:10.1002/jcp.27490. PMID 30590693.
  8. Tagliapietra A, Rotondo JC, Bononi I, Mazzoni E, Magagnoli F, Maritati M (2020). "Droplet-digital PCR assay to detect Merkel cell polyomavirus sequences in chorionic villi from spontaneous abortion affected females". J Cell Physiol. 235 (3): 1888–1894. doi:10.1002/jcp.29213. PMID 31549405.
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