Scanning electron microscopy of fused mouse placentas and associated uterine bed

Summary The decidual surface of two fused placentas and the associated uterine bed were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The compact decidua basalis fits into a uterine depression filled with coarse fibers which is surrounded by a smooth area that gradually becomes folded. Placental fusion due to twinning or crowding is discussed.Financial support was provided by an NIH Biomedical Research Support Grant 5 S07-RR05794-02 and by the Department of Anatomy, Wright State University. Technical assistance of Robert Principato is gratefully acknowledged