Maternal-fetal status of copper, iron, molybdenum, selenium and zinc in insulin-dependent diabetic pregnancies.

Objective: The objective was to assess the status of essential trace elements such as copper, iron, molybdenum, selenium and zinc in insulin-dependent diabetic pregnancies at term and to compare the data with a control group. Fetal-maternal ratios of the elements and copper:zinc ratio were also computed in the control and study populations.

Methodology: Samples from maternal vein, umbilical artery and umbilical vein of diabetic and control women were collected at the time of spontaneous delivery or cesarean section and activities of trace elements evaluated by atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

Transport kinetics of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid and water in pre-eclamptic pregnancies: an in vitro study.

Objective: To investigate the transport kinetics of a model amino acid, alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB), in the maternal-fetal direction in placentae from pre-eclamptic pregnancies.

Methods: Transport kinetics of the amino acid was assessed in vitro using perfusion of human placental lobules. Control placental lobules were perfused for comparison.