Transfer of iron across the placenta and fetal membranes in the rat

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Abstract
The rate of accumulation and distribution of 59Fe in the fetus, placenta, and accessory tissues was studied at different stages of gestation following iv injection of 59Fe. There is a steady increase in percent of 59Fe and in the total amount of iron transferred to the fetus through day 18 of gestation at which time an apparent plateau and decrease in iron transfer occurs. After day 16 the greatest portion of the 59Fe cleared from the maternal circulation by each fetoplacental unit (FPU) is taken up by the fetus. The fetal liver accounts for the largest fraction of 59Fe taken up by the fetus (days 14 and 16). Early in the fetal period (days 12 and 14) placenta and yolk sac retain the major portion of the small amount of 59Fe cleared from the maternal circulation. Following removal of the fetus (fetectomy) after day 16, 59Fe uptake by placenta was equal to or greater than that of the entire FPU and indicates that extraction of iron from the maternal circulation is a primary function of the placenta dissociable from and not dependent on a fetal acceptor.

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