Open AccessPlacental transfer of aromatic amino acids in non‐human primates
Author(s) -
Pueschel Siegfried M.,
Boylan Joan M.,
Jackson Benjamin T.,
Piasecki George J.,
Cha ChungJa
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016348309154214
Subject(s) - phenylalanine , placenta , amino acid , fetus , aromatic amino acids , medicine , pregnancy , endocrinology , biochemistry , biology , genetics
. Macaca fascicularis (crab‐eating monkeys) underwent an operative procedure at 120 to 130 days of pregnancy that allowed fetal blood sampling. During subsequent experiments L‐phenylalanine and p ‐chlorophenylalanine were injected into the maternal circulation. Blood obtained from mother and fetus revealed that phenylalanine is actively transported across the placenta and hence is markedly increased in the fetus if the maternal blood phenylalanine concentration is below the “saturation” level of 1.82 mM to 2.12 mM. The results of these studies which provide a better understanding of placental transport mechanisms of aromatic amino acids will be of assistance in future management of pregnant phenylketonuric females.