The Effects of the Proliferation of the Radial Arteries of the Placenta on Oxygen Transport to the Fetal Guinea Pig

Nutrient and oxygen, which are supplied by the utero-placental blood, are indispensable for the intrauterine growth of fetus. Peeters et al (1) have reported that utero-placental blood flow is well adjusted fetal weight. The regulating mechanism which adjusts maternalplacental blood flow to fetal growth is still unknown. The adjustment of utero-placental blood flow during pregnancy is related to “adaptive changes” in the placental arteries (2), namely, progressive structural changes in the arterial wall associated with arterial widening. In guinea pigs, massive growth has also been shown to be associated with widening of the uteroplacental arteries (Fig. 1).