Background: Abruptio placentae is a serious problem with a high rate of maternal and fetal mortality and documented sexual dimorphism in reoccurrence. Macaca fascicularis is a well-described reproductive model; however, there are no data available regarding sexual dimorphism in abruptio placentae in these species.
Methods: A retrospective study of pathology and medical records in a large colony of M. fascicularis was performed. Placental specimens were analyzed.
Results: The incidence of placenta abruptio in the colony was 15.7/1000 births. In the abruptio placentae group, male fetuses had lower placental disk length and increased femur length compared with female fetuses. The feto-pacental ratio and fetal weight were lower in the male fetuses in the abruption group compared with those in the stillbirth group without abruption placentae.
Conclusion: This is the first documentation of male bias in placental and fetal development in abruptio placentae in non-human primates.
Keywords: complications; non-human primate; placenta; pregnancy; sexual dimorphism.
© 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.