Marina Farag

ISM period 1
Hempstock, Joanne, Tereza Cindrova-Davies, Eric Jauniaux, and Graham J. Burton.
"Endometrial Glands as a Source of Nutrients, Growth Factors and Cytokines during the First
Trimester of Human Pregnancy: A Morphological and Immunohistochemical Study." RB&E.
2004. Web. 20 Oct. 2015.
<http://www.rbej.com>

The maternal circulation to the human placenta is not fully established until 1012 weeks
of pregnancy.
During the first trimester the intervillous space is filled by a clear fluid which is partly
derived from secretions from the endometrial glands via openings in the basal plate.
Samples of human decidua basalis from 514 weeks gestational age were examined by
transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemically.
The glandular epithelium also transformed from tall columnar cells, packed with
secretory organelles, to a low cuboidal layer over this period.
The endometrial glands are best developed and most active during early human
pregnancy.
The glands gradually regress over the first trimester, but still communicate with the
intervillous space until at least 10 weeks.
The endometrial glands provide an important source of nutrients, growth factors and
cytokines for the feto-placental unit.
The endometrium plays a role in regulating placental growth and differentiation postimplantation.
The uterine glands displayed the saw tooth appearance characteristic of the late secretory
phase of the menstrual cycle, and were filled with copious secretions.
An endometrial thickness of 8 mm or more is considered to be favorable for implantation
in humans.
Endometrial growth is not a homogeneous process, a single measurement of the
endometrial thickness may not reflect the entire endometrial development.
The high level of expression in the glandular epithelium suggests that histiotroph may be
an important route for transfer of antioxidants during early pregnancy, increasing the
defenses of the feto-placental tissues against oxidative stress associated with onset of the
maternal intraplacental circulation.

This source shows a morphological and immunohistochemical study on

endometrial glands as a source of nutrients, growth factors and cytokines
during the first trimester of human pregnancy.