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Placental Metabolism and Regulation of Nutrient Transfer to the Fetus

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The High-Risk Fetus

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Abstract

The placenta is a specialized organ of exchange that provides nutrients to and excretes waste products from the fetus. This exchange is the primary means by which the placenta controls fetal metabolism and growth; however, in vitro and in vivo experiments have demonstrated marked metabolic activity of the placenta. For example, placental oxygen and glucose consumption rates approach or even exceed those of brain and tumor tissue. Other placental metabolic activities include glycolysis; gluconeogenesis; glycogenesis; oxidation of glucose, lipids, and amino acids; protein synthesis; amino acid interconversion; glycero-lipid synthesis; and chain lengthening or shortening of individual fatty acids.

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Authors
  1. William W. Hay Jr.
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Maternal-Fetal Medicine Section, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, 60637, Chicago, IL, USA

    Chin-Chu Lin M.D. (Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Director, Obstetrics High Risk Clinic) & Marion S. Verp M.D. (Associate Professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology, Director, Medical Genetic Services) (Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Director, Obstetrics High Risk Clinic) &  (Associate Professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology, Director, Medical Genetic Services)

  2. Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Prentice Women’s Hospital, 60611, Chicago, IL, USA

    Rudy E. Sabbagha M.D. (Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University, Director, Diagnostic Ultrasound Center) (Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University, Director, Diagnostic Ultrasound Center)

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Hay, W.W. (1993). Placental Metabolism and Regulation of Nutrient Transfer to the Fetus. In: Lin, CC., Verp, M.S., Sabbagha, R.E. (eds) The High-Risk Fetus. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-9240-8_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-9240-8_3

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