Bioscientifica Proceedings

Summary. This review aims to provide an overview of the current knowledge regarding the development and function of the bovine placenta, starting with the gross anatomical morphology and histology. In addition, detailed information on trophoblast giant cell formation (TGC) and the complex interplay of the extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, integrins and growth factor systems is given. Drugs and pathological conditions (e.g. cloned placenta, retained placenta...