Quality of placental RNA: Effects of explant size and culture duration

We evaluated the impact of placental micro (≤50 mg) and macro (∼200 mg) explants, oxygen concentration and culture method on placental RNA quality after long-term culture. Our findings show that micro explants cultured at 8% oxygen have the best RNA quality and tissue structure. Macro explants were less viable after long-term culture. Macro explants and explants undergoing syncytial degeneration produced poor quality RNA and should be avoided.