Placental essential fatty acid transport and prostaglandin synthesis.
The studies reported here demonstrate two important aspects of placenta EFA transport and metabolism. (1) A mechanism exists within the placenta for the selective incorporation of 20:4 omega 6 into phosphoglycerides and the export of those phosphoglycerides to the fetal circulation. This mechanism allows the selective sequestering of 20:4 omega 6 in the fetoplacental unit and may provide the fetus with important performed structural membrane components. (2) Placental PG synthesis is directed mostly to the maternal circulation and stimulated placental PG synthesis is directed totally to the maternal circulation. This mechanism may protect the fetus from fluctuations in maternal and placental PG synthesis and may direct stimulated placental PG synthesis to a target organ, the myometrium. The perfused human placental model provides a valuable method for the study of a variety of biochemical phenomena in a whole human organ and its use may further elucidate the role of this tissue in the maintenance of pregnancy, the transport of EFA to the developing fetus and the involvement of placental PG synthesis in fetal development and parturition.
Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, State University of New York, College of Medicine, Syracuse 13210.
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Kuhn
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Crawford
D001692:Biological Transport; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005994:Glycerophosphates / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential; D005994:Glycerophosphates; D011453:Prostaglandins