Cannabis use in pregnancy is associated with a range of obstetrical conditions. The molecular mechanisms underlying these effects have not been elucidated but are attributed to the actions of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta9-THC). In this study, concentrations of Delta9-THC equivalent to those found in the serum of cannabis users, i.e. approximately 20 microM, inhibited proliferation and ac...

Through the use of immunohistochemical techniques, human chorionic gonadotropin has been localized to syncytiotrophoblastic cells of immature placenta, hydatidiform mole, chorioadenoma destruens, and choriocarcinoma. No gonadotropin has been detected in cytotrophoblast. Evidence is discussed which suggests that syncytiotrophoblast is the cell of origin of human chorionic gonadotropin. The obser...

Megalin and cubilin are multifunctional endocytic receptors associated with many transporting epithelia. They play an essential role in transport of nutrients through the visceral yolk sac of rodents during embryogenesis. Here, we immunolocalise them to the endodermal layer of the human yolk sac, and to the syncytiotrophoblast and cytotrophoblast cells of placental villi. In villi, the protein ...