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Mechanism of transfer
The transfer of substance across the
placenta occurs by several mechanisms
1- Simple diffusion : transport from high
to lower pressure e.g CO2, O2 H2O and
electrolyte.
2- Facilitated diffusion : by carrier system
as glucose, vitamins & minerals .
3- Active transport : in which high energy
is required to carry substance against
pressure gradient e.g. Heavy materials ,
Iron& amino acids..
Placenta as an endocrine gland
• HCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin) - maintains
ovariean corpus luteum
• Progesterone – maintains pregnancy (especially after
1st trimester)
• Sommatomammotropin (Placental lactogen –
increases maternal blood glucose and lipids
• Oestrogen
• Relaxin
• Prostaglandins
• Enzymes & proteins e.g alkaline phosphates,
oxytokinase, lactate dehydrogenase and Insulinase.
HCG
• It is produced by trophoblast detected in
maternal blood from 10 th day of fertilization
&peaks at 60-90ds then decline to amoderate
constant level
• 1-For the 1st 6-8w of pregnancy it maintains the
corpus luteum to ensure continued
progesterone out put until production shifts to
the placenta
• 2-regulate steroid biosynthesis in the placenta
& fetal adrenal gland &stimulates the fetal
testicle to secrete testosterone .
• Human placental lactogen (HPL)
It is protein produced by syncytotrophoblas.
It’s level rise slowly up to 40 weeks of
pregnancy.
It decreases maternal insulin sensitivity &
promotes release of FFA from maternal stores –
alternative source of energy for her metabolism.
HPL level is low in case of; threatened
abortion & IUGR
. Oestrogen
It is steroid produced by feto-placental units from
fetal liver , adrenals and placental
cytotrophoblast.
The level increase in early pregnancy up to 38
weeks then after it decrease. It originates from
corpus luteum in early pregnancy then from the
placenta. Estriol is the most abundant form in
pregnancy &can be used as indicator for
placental function sudden decline of esteriol in
maternal circulation indicate fetal compromise.
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• Progesterone:
It is steroid produced by CL in 1st 6-7w of
pregnancy thereafter by placental
syncytiotrophoblast ( no fetal role ).
The level of progesterone increase in the
pregnancy from early stage until the onset of
labour.
It is important for support of pregnancy and
increased vascularity of the placental bed.It
prevents uterine contraction &play acentral
role in maintaining uterine quiescence
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throught pregnancy.
Amniotic fluid
It surrounds the fetus, produced by:
1- In early pregnancy secreated by amnion,but
by 10th w it is mainly atransudate of fetal
serum via the skin & umbilical cord .
2- From 16w the net increase in AF is through
asmall imbalance between urine & lung fluids
secreation& removal by fetal swallowing.