Parathion transfer and acetylcholinesterase activity in an in-vitro perfused term human placenta.
Organophosphate transport through the placenta was investigated in an in-vitro placental perfusion system. The system consisted of maternal and fetal reservoirs in which Krebs Ringer bicarbonate buffer with heparin, albumin and glucose was circulated at a constant pH, temperature and pO2. Parathion was analysed by means of gas chromatography with a N-P detector. 14C Antipyrine, a lipid soluble salt, was used as an internal standard, which allowed for the difference in placental size and permeability. A certain amount of parathion passed the placenta and reached the fetal compartment. Glucose consumption was not influenced by the introduction of parathion; neither was the water content of the placental tissue. Acetylcholinesterase activity in placental tissue decreased 50%. The amount of parathion transferred was not negligible and could have caused damage to a fetus.
Benjaminov
O
O
Poison Information Center, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.
Hoffer
E
E
Taitelman
U
U
Urbach
J
J
Brandes
J M
JM
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism*; D000983:Antipyrine / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D010278:Parathion / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D010477:Perfusion; D010920:Placenta / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy
D010278:Parathion; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D005947:Glucose; D000983:Antipyrine