title: Estimation of human fetal-placental unit metabolic rate by application of the Bohr principle.
abstract: The Bohr Principle via continuous indirect calorimetry was used to estimate human fetal-placental unit metabolic rate in 12 normal women undergoing elective caesarean section under continuous lumbar epidural anaesthesia. Maternal oxygen consumption decreased after umbilical cord clamping and after placental removal. Fetal-placental unit oxygen consumption was 10.7 +/- 1.3 ml/min per kg (mean +/- SEM). Fetal oxygen consumption was 6.8 +/- 1.4 ml/min per kg. Placental oxygen consumption was 37 +/- 12 ml/min per kg. Fetal-placental unit carbon dioxide production was 9.2 +/- 1.2 ml/min per kg. These mean values agree favourably with measurements of uterine and fetal metabolism from other mammalian species. Maternal minute ventilation decreased with removal of the fetal-placental unit, and this decrease was found to be linearly related to the fetal-placental unit carbon dioxide production.
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Bonds
authors.forename: L O
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Crosby
authors.forename: T G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Cheek
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hägerdal
authors.forename: B B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Gutsche
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Gabbe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012119:Respiration; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide