title: In vitro analysis of human transplacental transport of desmopressin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Desmopressin (DDAVP) therapy may be required during pregnancy, but there are limited data about its safety. We wished to verify whether DDAVP is transported across the human placenta.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using the in vitro human placental cotyledon perfusion model, we performed serial measurements of maternal and fetal DDAVP concentrations. After introducing the drug into the maternal circulation at estimated baseline therapeutic (30 pg/ml) and supratherapeutic (16,000 and 60,000 pg/ml) concentrations, we measured the rate of transplacental drug transfer up to 2 h.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no detectable transport of DDAVP at a 30 pg/ml concentration, and the maternal drug concentration remained stable over time. At a much higher maternal concentration of 60,000 pg/ml, the mean peak fetal DDAVP concentration was 2990 pg/ml, equivalent to 4.8% of the baseline maternal concentration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  At a therapeutic maternal drug concentration, DDAVP does not appear to cross the placenta within detectable limits. At much higher drug concentrations, DDAVP may cross the placenta in a small amount. Future in vitro clinical studies should attempt to reproduce these findings.
authors.affiliation: Obstetrical Medicine, Department of Medicine, and Inner City Health Research Program, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada. Jray515445@aol.com
authors.forename: Joel G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Ray
authors.forename: Rada
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Boskovic
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Knie
authors.forename: Marjie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hard
authors.forename: Galina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Portnoi
authors.forename: Gideon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Koren
mesh_terms: D001692:Biological Transport; D003894:Deamino Arginine Vasopressin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000502:physiology; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D003894:Deamino Arginine Vasopressin