title: Transplacental transfer of aflatoxin in humans.
abstract: This study quantified aflatoxin (AFB1, AFG1 and AFQ1) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in human cord sera obtained at birth and in serum obtained immediately after birth from the mother. The subjects of the study were residents of Songkhla, Thailand. Of the 35 samples of cord sera, 17 (48%) contained aflatoxin in concentrations from 0.064 to 13.6, mean 3.1 nmol/ml. By comparison only two (6%) of 35 maternal sera contained aflatoxin (mean 0.62 nmol/ml). These results demonstrate transplacental transfer and concentration of aflatoxin by the feto-placental unit which may be of biological importance. Aflatoxins are mutagenic, carcinogenic and teratogenic and cause immunosuppression in animals. The implications of these findings are potentially profound and deserve further study.
authors.affiliation: Lister Unit, Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow, Middlesex, UK.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Denning
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Morgan
mesh_terms: D016604:Aflatoxin B1; D000348:Aflatoxins / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D011247:Pregnancy; D013785:Thailand
chemical_list: D000348:Aflatoxins; C027955:aflatoxin G1; C033759:aflatoxin Q1; D016604:Aflatoxin B1