Can the fetus regulate its calcium uptake?

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Abstract
To investigate the role of the fetus in vitamin D metabolism concentrations of vitamin D metabolites, 25(OH)D, 24,25(OH)2D and 1,25(OH)2D, were measured in human umbilical artery and vein. There were no differences between artery and vein in 25(OH)D and 24,25(OH2D levels. Statistically, 1,25(OH)2D concentrations were significantly higher in the artery than in the vein. It has been shown in animal experiments that 1,25(OH)2D is an important factor in the maintenance of the placental Ca gradient. The fetus may actively produce 1,25(OH)2D, and hence has the capacity to control its Ca influx.