Syncytial nuclei accumulate at the villous surface in IUGR while proliferation is unchanged

The data of the present study indicate a previously unknown type of regulation of syncytial stability and function, independent of proliferation. We hypothesize that in IUGR, post-proliferative trophoblast nuclei accumulate at the villous surface of peripheral villous branches. This could possibly reflect the presence of an unknown mechanism controlling syncytial function and stability by modulation of syncytial passage time rather than by modulation of proliferative supply.