Iron Metabolism in the Pregnant Rabbit

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Abstract
Studies on iron metabolism were made in pregnant rabbits. The amount of iron transported from the maternal plasma to fetus increased progressively with age and weight of the fetus. By the end of the pregnancy 90% of the plasma iron turnover was directed to the fetus. The majority of fetal iron is deposited as nonhemoglobin iron. Placental iron transport occurs against a concentration gradient. The uptake of iron by the placenta is an active process independent of the fetus, and retrograde transfer of iron from the fetus to mother does not occur. Studies of altered maternal metabolism indicate that placental transport reflects both fetal demands and state of iron metabolism in the mother.