Placental Transfer and Fetal Tissue Iron Utilization in Sheep

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Abstract
Radioiron and total iron data from blood-balance and tissue distribution studies with 24 ewes indicated fetal sheep organs and tissues to possess greater relative turnover rates during the second trimester than at later stages of gestation. Pattern of fetal hemapoiesis showed liver and spleen contribution early in fetal development, whereas red bone marrow (sternum) became increasingly more important during the second trimester, and all tissues involved in hemapoiesis achieved apparent equilibrium during the final stages of fetal life. Data implied that iron traversed the placenta of sheep at all stages of gestation. This transfer was apparently related directly to the amount of iron actually required for incorporation into growing tissues. Iron traversing the ovine placenta was probably of plasma origin, but some maternal tissues appeared to have initial priority over the developing fetus for iron storage. Calculated daily additional dietary iron requirement to meet the needs of pregnancy in sheep approached 5.0 mg.

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