Objective     To investigate the expression of placenta growth factor (PLGF) and its mRNA in the placenta and decidua of fetal growth restriction (FGR).      Methods     The tissue of the placenta and decidua were collected from 15 FGR patients and 20 normal pregnancy controls. The expression level of PLGF and its mRNA in the tissue were assessed by the immuno-histochemistry and

in situ

hybridization histochemistry (ISHH).      Results     ①The position of PLGF and its mRNA expression in the placenta and decidua tissue were similar in both groups

whic

h was in the sycytiotrophoblast mainly and less in the interstitial cells of the villus

endothelial cells and decidua cells. ②Expression of PLGF in the sycytiotrophoblast

interstitial in the villus

endothelia and decidua tissue from FGR patients was decreased；③The transcription of PLGF mRNA in above tissues from FGR patients decreased respectively significantly too.      Conclusion      The transcription of PLGF mRNA and the expression of PLGF in the placenta and decidua tissue are decreased in FGR. The results indicate that trophoblasts have weakened abilities of synthesizing and releasing PLGF

so that it influences angiogenesis and villus growth，which maybe disturb the function of placenta and induces FGR finally.