Fluid shift across the placenta: II. Fetomaternal transfer of horseradish peroxidase in the guinea pig

Kaufmann, Peter; Schröder, H.; Leichtweiß, H. P.

doi:10.1016/s0143-4004(82)80027-1

Cited by 49 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…By measuring the transplacental flux of four permeants of different molecular sizes infused into patients prior to elective caesarean section, it was concluded that pores of different sizes must exist in the human syncytiotrophoblast [15]. However, the putative channels have never been visualized in the human [16], although this lack may reflect the complexity of the syncytioplasm and the limitations of current imaging techniques. Second, it is well recognized that there are small, scattered defects in the syncytiotrophoblastic surface of all human placentas, leading to deposition of fibrin plaques [17,18].…”

Section: Placental Transportmentioning

confidence: 99%

The placenta: a multifaceted, transient organ

Burton

Fowden

2015

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

541

380

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The placenta is arguably the most important organ of the body, but paradoxically the most poorly understood. During its transient existence, it performs actions that are later taken on by diverse separate organs, including the lungs, liver, gut, kidneys and endocrine glands. Its principal function is to supply the fetus, and in particular, the fetal brain, with oxygen and nutrients. The placenta is structurally adapted to achieve this, possessing a large surface area for exchange and a thin interhaemal membrane separating the maternal and fetal circulations. In addition, it adopts other strategies that are key to facilitating transfer, including remodelling of the maternal uterine arteries that supply the placenta to ensure optimal perfusion. Furthermore, placental hormones have profound effects on maternal metabolism, initially building up her energy reserves and then releasing these to support fetal growth in later pregnancy and lactation post-natally. Bipedalism has posed unique haemodynamic challenges to the placental circulation, as pressure applied to the vena cava by the pregnant uterus may compromise venous return to the heart. These challenges, along with the immune interactions involved in maternal arterial remodelling, may explain complications of pregnancy that are almost unique to the human, including pre-eclampsia. Such complications may represent a trade-off against the provision for a large fetal brain.

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Section: Placental Transportmentioning

confidence: 99%

The placenta: a multifaceted, transient organ

Burton

Fowden

2015

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

541

380

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“…2B) -in haemochorial placentas is unclear but two possibilities appear to exist. The pores may be transtrophoblastic channels, which have been visualised in both the guinea pig and human placenta (Kaufmann et al, 1982;Kertschanska et al, 1994). Alternatively, a paracellular pathway may be provided during denudation of the syncytiotrophoblast (Brownbill et al, 1995;Brownbill et al, 2000;Edwards et al, 1993).…”

Section: Diffusional Permeability Of the Placenta To Hydrophilic Molementioning

confidence: 99%

Placental nutrient supply and fetal growth

Desforges¹,

Sibley²

2010

Int. J. Dev. Biol.

146

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This review considers mechanisms by which transfer across the placenta takes place and how the capacity of the placenta to supply nutrients relates to fetal growth and vice versa. Blood flow through both uterine and umbilical circulations of the placenta, the structural properties of the placental exchange barrier and its related diffusional permeability, and the expression and activity of a wide range of transporter proteins in the syncytiotrophoblast, the transporting epithelium of the placenta, all need to be taken into account in considering placental supply capacity. We discuss the evidence that each of these factors affects, and is affected by, fetal growth rate and consider the regulatory mechanisms involved, with a particular focus on data that has emerged from study of the system A amino acid transporter. We consider that future work will build on the considerable foundation of knowledge regarding placental transfer mechanisms, as well as the other aspects of placental structure and function, to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for pregnancy complications, such as fetal growth restriction or overgrowth.

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“…In the guinea‐pig placenta, which is haemeomonochorial and syncytial like the human, with a similar permeability to the inert hydrophilic solutes, tubules or bag‐like structures in the syncytiotrophoblast can be visualized under the electron microscope but only if the placentas are fixed following imposition of a significant hydrostatic pressure (Kaufmann et al 1982). Similar structures may also be visualized in the placenta of the degu (Kertschanska et al 1997).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding placental nutrient transfer – why bother? New biomarkers of fetal growth

Sibley

2009

The Journal of Physiology

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The placenta, in general and the physiology of maternofetal nutrient transfer is under-researched compared to other organs with epithelial transport function, as evidenced, for example, by publication numbers. This report provides reasons why more researchers should become involved in this topic. First, the syncytiotrophoblast, the transporting epithelium of the placenta, though having many basic cell physiology properties similar to those of other transporting epithelia, has several properties which are markedly different. Better information on these might help fundamental understanding of how epithelia in general function as well as improving knowledge of how the syncytiotrophoblast operates. Second, the synctiotrophoblast has a key role in controlling fetal growth, not only by transporting nutrients and waste products of metabolism but also because it increasingly appears to be one site, perhaps even the dominant site, in which integration of, sometimes conflicting, signals between mother and fetus takes place. Finally, better understanding of placental nutrient transfer and especially of how it is regulated by maternal and fetal signals could provide better information on the placental phenotype in fetal growth disorders -information which might contribute to providing better biomarkers which the obstetrician could use to improve early diagnosis of these disorders.

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Fluid shift across the placenta: II. Fetomaternal transfer of horseradish peroxidase in the guinea pig

Cited by 49 publications

References 6 publications

The placenta: a multifaceted, transient organ

The placenta: a multifaceted, transient organ

Placental nutrient supply and fetal growth

Understanding placental nutrient transfer – why bother? New biomarkers of fetal growth

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