Decreased adherence and spontaneous separation of fetal membrane layers – amnion and choriodecidua – a possible part of the normal weakening process

Abstract Introduction The fetal membrane (FM) layers, amnion and choriodecidua, are frequently noted to have varying degrees of separation following delivery. FM layers normally separate prior to rupture during in vitro biomechanical testing. We hypothesized that the adherence between amnion and cho...

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Published in:	Placenta (Eastbourne) Vol. 31; no. 1; pp. 18 - 24
Main Authors:	Strohl, A, Kumar, D, Novince, R, Shaniuk, P, Smith, J, Bryant, K, Moore, R.M, Novak, J, Stetzer, B, Mercer, B.M, Mansour, J.M, Moore, J.J
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-01-2010 Elsevier
Subjects:	Adhesiveness Adolescent Adult Amnion Amnion - physiology Biological and medical sciences Biomechanical Phenomena Biomechanics Cell Adhesion - physiology Choriodecidua Decidua - physiology Embryology: invertebrates and vertebrates. Teratology Extraembryonic Membranes - pathology Extraembryonic Membranes - physiology Female Fetal membranes Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture - pathology Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture - physiopathology Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology Gestational Age Humans Internal Medicine Labor, Obstetric - physiology Obstetrics and Gynecology Parturition - physiology Pregnancy T-peel test Young Adult Artificial Rupture of Membranes SVD PROM Spontaneous Rupture of Membranes FM Fetal membranes T-peel test Premature Rupture of Membranes Rupture of Membranes Choriodecidua Biomechanics ROM AROM Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery Amnion SROM Vertebrata Mammalia Separation Fetal membrane Spontaneous Normal Adhesion Layer Fetoplacental membrane
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Summary:	Abstract Introduction The fetal membrane (FM) layers, amnion and choriodecidua, are frequently noted to have varying degrees of separation following delivery. FM layers normally separate prior to rupture during in vitro biomechanical testing. We hypothesized that the adherence between amnion and choriodecidua decreases prior to delivery resulting in separation of the FM layers and facilitating FM rupture. Methods FM from 232 consecutively delivered patients were examined to determine the extent of spontaneous separation of the FM layers at delivery. Percent separation was determined by the weight of separated FM tissue divided by the total FM weight. Separately, the adherence between intact FM layers was determined. FM adherence was tested following term vaginal delivery (13), term unlabored cesarean section (10), and preterm delivery (6). Results Subjects enrolled in the two studies had similar demographic and clinical characteristics. FM separation was present in 92.1% of membranes. Only 4.3% of FM delivered following spontaneous rupture of the fetal membranes (SROM) had no detectable separation. 64.7% of FM had greater than 10% separation. FM from term vaginal deliveries had significantly more separation and were less adherent than FM of term unlabored, elective cesarean section (39.0 ± 34.4% vs 22.5 ± 30.9%, p = .046 and 0.041 ± 0.018 N/cm vs 0.048 ± 0.019 N/cm, p < .005). Preterm FM had less separation and were more adherent than term FM (9.95 ± 17.7% vs 37.5 ± 34.4% and 0.070 ± 0.040 N/cm vs 0.044 ± 0.020 N/cm; both p < .001). Conclusions Separation of the amnion from choriodecidua at delivery is almost universal. Increased separation is associated with decreased adherence as measured in vitro . Increased separation and decreased adherence are seen both with increasing gestation and with labor suggesting both biochemical and mechanical etiologies. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that FM layer separation is part of the FM weakening process during normal parturition.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	0143-4004 1532-3102
DOI:	10.1016/j.placenta.2009.10.012