Histochemical Age-Changes in Normal and Pathological Placental Villi (Hydatidiform Mole, Eclampsia)

IN TWO PREVIOUS PAPERS Dempsey and Wislocki (‘44, ‘45) presented observations on the occurrence and significance of lipoids, glycogen, iron, alkaline phosphatase and basophilia in the human placenta. Since these papers were published, we have accumulated further histochemical data on the normal placenta and also some cytological and histochemical information on hydatidif orm moles and on placentas from two cases of severe preeclampsia and eclampsia. We shall describe for the first time the occurrence of placental acid phosphatase, submitting data regarding the related occurrence of calcium, iron and phosphatases in normal chorionic villi. Second, we shall describe the cytology and histochemistry of two hydatidif orm moles which we have examined and discuss the significance of the findings. Third, we shall present an account of the pathological picture of two eclamptic placentas as revealed by cytological and histochemical methods. Finally, we shall comment upon the significance of histochemical age-change...