Çetin A.Kükner A.Öztürk F.2024-08-042024-08-0420021476-7058https://doi.org/10.1080/jmf.12.3.178.184https://hdl.handle.net/11616/91685Objective: Our objective in this study was to investigate the ultrastructure of endothelial and muscle cells of human umbilical vessels in both normal and pre-eclamptic pregnancies. Methods: Ten umbilical cords from pre-eclamptic (36, 38 and 40 weeks) and four from normal pregnancies (40 weeks) were collected immediately after vaginal deliveries. Umbilical veins and arteries were isolated and fixed in phosphate-buffered 2.5% glutaraldehyde solution (pH 7.2) for 4 h and postfixed with 1% osmium tetroxide at 4°C for 2 h. The sections were embedded in Araldit CY 212. Ultrathin sections were stained with uranyl acetate, examined and photographed. Results: Human umbilical vessel endothelial cells showed ultrastructural changes in pre-eclamptic patients. Weibel-Palade bodies and some organelles such as rough endoplasmic reticulum were found in increased numbers in venous endothelial cells. Accumulations of granular material were detected under the venous endothelium. Conclusion: The endothelial and muscle cells of the umbilical vessels from pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia showed morphological changes.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessEndothelial cellsPre-eclampsiaUltrastructureUmbilical cordArticle1231781841253061510.1080/jmf.12.3.178.1842-s2.0-0036746810Q2