The role of the placenta in fetal nutrition and growth.

Abstract

The placenta plays a key role in the nutrition of the fetus. It mediates the active transport of nutrients and metabolic wastes across the barrier separating maternal and fetal compartments, as well as modifying the composition of some nutrients through its own metabolic activity. The function of the placenta is essential to the growth of a healthy fetus; it is becoming apparent that the activities of the placenta are in turn modulated by signals originating from the fetus. Communication between placenta and fetus is especially critical in intrauterine growth retardation. The importance of the interaction of factors like insulin-like growth factor and epidermal growth factor with their receptors is becoming increasingly clear.

Effect of 6-Mercaptopurine on Rat Placenta

“…The basal zone is the site of production of protein, steroid and peptide hormones [6]. Thus, a small placenta results in reduced uterine blood flow to the placenta and transport to the fetuses, and is the major determinant of fetal growth retardation [11]. From the present study, we could not prove to what extent the placental dysfunction affects the fetal abnormalities and fetal growth retardation.…”

Placental expression of insulin-like growth factor-I, fibroblast growth factor-basic and neural cell adhesion molecule in pregnancies with small for gestational age fetuses

“…21 Some of the investigations pointed out a well-established correlation between increased placental expression of IGF-R and fetal growth that a decreased expression might be responsible of IUGR. 22 Demonstration of lower IGF-I concentrations and increased IGFBP-1 levels in human infants with IUGR and higher concentrations of IGF-I in macrosomic fetuses of diabetic women point out that fetal IGF-I expression may be closely associated with growth rate in the last trimester.…”

Implications arising from the use of Cymbopogen proximus ; proximal on placenta of pregnant Albino rats

“…The current work showed a reduction in the weight of placenta. A small placenta results in reduced uterine blood flow to the placenta and consequently to the fetuses, which is the major determinant of fetal growth retardation [25]. Phenol is one of the aqueous extract of Cymbopogon proximus [3].…”