Morphologic characteristics of the normal term human trophoblast maintained in prolonged in vitro cultures.

The development of a new technique for prolonged in vitro culture of normal human term trophoblast without stromal growth has facilitated the study of the morphologic characteristics of trophoblast in culture. Cytotrophoblast (epithelioid) cells were observed along with subsequent formation of syncytiotrophoblast in vitro. Hormonal assessment of hPL production has confirmed the viability and biologic specificity of the tissue. The morphologic characteristics of normal human term trophoblast maintained in vitro include projections, circular growths and syncytial sprouts. Growth patterns of trophoblast in vitro were similar to those described in vivo.