Morphological and Behavioural Features of Bewo Cells Grown on Matrigel Offers a Model for Human Cytotrophoblast Cells During Early Implantation

In order to observe the morphological changes that occur in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions among trophoblast cells and other neighbouring cells during human implantation, BeWo cells were cultured in a 3-dimensional artificial extracellular matrix (Matrigel) using a double-chamber system. These cultures were then processed for light and electron microscopical examination. Results obtained show that the morphology and behavioural pattern of BeWo cells grown on Matrigel is similar to that reported for in vitro normal human cytotrophoblast cells on extracellular matrix (ECM). These results suggest that culture of BeWo cells on extracellular matrices may be useful for the study of some of the early embryonic events leading to human implantation, especially during the period when trophoblastic cells interact with and erode the uterine epithelium and ECM. Keywords: BeWo cells, Trophoblast, Morphology, Matrigel, implantation Journal of Science and Technology Vol. 28 (1) 2008 pp. 4-1

Morphological Variations of the “Baby\'s Supply Line”

To contribute to the sparse information on dimensional variations of umbilical cords in Ghana, 124 placentae with attached umbilical cords were studied. The placentae were obtained from the University of Science and Technology Hospital between 2000 and 2002. Average cord length was 47.04cm (SD 12.8cm) with the shortest cord being 5.5cm and the longest 75.50cm. By empirical definition, 21.56% of the cords were Short whereas, 78.44% were long. Most of the umbilical cords (63%) had empirically eccentric attachments to their placentae; 20.48% had central and 16.52% had marginal attachments respectively. Occurrence of furcate insertion of umbilical cord vessels into the placenta was 28% and non-furcate insertion was 72%. These quantitative data provide baseline values for further investigation. Keywords: umbilical cords, morphology, length, attachments, looping, insertion Journal of Science and Technology Vol. 28 (2) 2008: pp. 1-

“Out-Of-Phase” Endometrium in Infertile Ghanaian Women

To establish baseline data on “out of phase” endometrial development or luteal phase defect in Ghana, the morphology of the endometrium in 10 fertile and 87 infertile women was compared. Mid-luteal phase endometrial biopsies obtained by dilatation and curettage at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (Kumasi, Ghana) were processed for light microscopical examination. Results present for the first time, baseline data on luteal phase defect in infertile Ghanaian women. In 63.2% of infertile women, the histologic appearance of endometrium was “out of phase” with their menstrual cycle. This suggests defective luteal phase development of the endometrium, which may have made it non-receptive around the peri-implantation period. In 36.8%, of infertile women studied the endometrium was morphologically “in phase” with the menstrual cycle, suggesting that their condition was not directly the result of non-receptive uterus. Journal of the Ghana Science Association Vol. 9 (2) 2007: pp. 122-13