The placentae in 10 cases of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) at full term were observed by light and electron microscopy

with placentae in 10 normal pregnancies as control. In ICP

there were hyperplasia of cytotrophoblastic cells

dcrease of syncytiovascular membrane and increase of syncytial sprouts in the placental terminal villi under light microscopy. Under electron microscopy

there were swelling and decrease in number of micro-villi

and dilatation of rough endoplasmic reticulum in all syncytial cells

and swelling of mitochondria and increase of lysosomes in part of syncytial cells

and swelling of endothelial cells in some fetal capillaries