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Regulating Factors in the Transfer of Iron across the Rat Placenta
Author(s) -
Lane R. S.
Publication year - 1968
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.1968.tb01551.x
Subject(s) - placenta , fetus , transferrin , gestation , endocrinology , andrology , medicine , pregnancy , transferrin receptor , biology , chemistry , genetics
The effect of maternal blood loss on the iron uptake of the foetectomized placenta has been studied. Normal pregnant rats were used as controls. It is suggested that the rate of maternal blood flow and plasma iron concentration primarily controls placental iron uptake independent of the presence of a foetus. Starch gel electrophoresis and fluorescent antibody techniques have been employed to investigate foetal rat synthesis of transferrin. The onset of synthesis at the commencement of the last third of gestation is probably important in creating a viable system for foetal plasma iron turnover which, under the control of the foetal erythroid marrow, is responsible for the high rate of iron transfer from the placenta to the foetus.