RESUMO
Investigations have been carried out on the effect of maternal protein free diet on the placenta of laboratory mice of Balb/C strain. The thickness of placental barrier was measured. Placental weight, fetal weight, fetal numbers were also calculated and histological study was also done. Animal husbandry and the day of conception were arranged. Pregnant mice were dissected at days [12[th], 14[th], and 18[th]] of gestation. Thirty placentas from mice on protein free diet and fifteen placentas from mice on control diet, were taken, stained by haematoxylin and eosin and examined under light microscope with screen. The following results are subsequently obtained: 1.Reduction in fetal number and weight of mice after protein malnutrition, in comparison to their control at the same stage of gestation. 2.Reduction in placental weight of mice after protein malnutrition, in comparison to their control at the same stage of gestation. 3. Reduction in the thickness of trophoblastic layers of placental barrier in mice after protein malnutrition, which are measured by using light microscope with screen and scientific ruler. 4.Morphological changes showed thin placental barrier, with basophilic cytoplasm and degenerated nuclei. Areas of degeneration infiltrated with phagocytic cells with increase in the number and size of blood vessels were seen. These changes may affect the placental function, which may be the main cause of decrease in fetal weight [intra uterine growth retardation], placental weight and fetal number