Master’s Thesis Defense on **Hofbauer Cells in Human Placentae**

Histological, histomorphometric and CD68 immunohistochemical expression of Hofbauer cells in the different size human placentae.”

The study aimed to evaluate the histological, histomorphometric, and immunohistochemical expression of CD68+ Hofbauer cells and to measure their density in placentae of different sizes. The results showed that the diameters and thicknesses of both stem and tertiary villi were measured, and it was observed that the smaller placenta exhibited larger diameters and thicknesses. Furthermore, the number of syncytial knots was lower in the larger placenta compared to the smaller one.

The study concluded that CD68+ Hofbauer cells play a role in the structural variation of the placenta, both in normal non-infectious conditions and in certain types of infections, and that they are associated with the degree of placental unit maturity.

Examination Committee:

• Prof. Dr. Haider Jawad Kazem (Chairman)

• Prof. Dr. Samia Abbas Aliwi (Member)

• Asst. Prof. Dr. Shatha Mahmood Hassan (Member)

• Prof. Dr. Haider Abdulrasool Jaafar (Member and Supervisor)

The thesis was successfully accepted with a grade of Very Good.

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College of Medicine – Al-Nahrain University