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The Decidua in Early Pregnancy

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Book cover Early Pregnancy Loss

Abstract

The decidua is the transformed stromal part of gestational endometrium. Endometrial stromal cells, which have been primed by oestrogen, enlarge and store glycogen under the influence of progesterone. Decidualisation occurs only in those species with haemochoriall placentation and hence is likely to playa key role,(1) but despite various investigational approaches, the function of decidua remains unclear. Recent studies have focused on the possible role of decidua in maternal immune acceptance of the feto-placental unit. Immunohistochemical studies have allowed in situ characterisation of decidual cell populations throughout pregnancy. However, functional studies continue to be limited by poor documentation of cells under investigation.

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Authors
  1. J. N. Bulmer
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  2. A. Ritson
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Northern General Hospital, Herries Road, Sheffield, S5 7AU, UK

    Frank Sharp MD, FRCOG

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St Mary’s Hospital, Praed Street, London, W2 1PG, UK

    Richard W. Beard MB, BChir(Cantab), MD, FRCOG

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© 1988 The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

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Bulmer, J.N., Ritson, A. (1988). The Decidua in Early Pregnancy. In: Sharp, F., Beard, R.W. (eds) Early Pregnancy Loss. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-1658-5_20

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-1658-5_20

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-1660-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-1658-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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