The placenta in nutrition.

INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................... 97 NUTRIENT TRANSPORT BY PLACENTA .................................................... 99 Maternal Blood Flow and the Transport of Gases and Water ............................ 99 Glucose ............................................................................................. 100 Amino Acids ....................................................................................... 101 Lipids ............................................................................................... 103 Vitamins ............................................................................................ 104 Vitamin D and Calcium Transport ............................................................. t06 Other Major Minerals ............................................................................ 107 Iron .................................................................................................. 107 Other Trace Elements ............................................................................. 108 THE FETOPLACENTAL UNIT AND MATERNAL METABOLISM ..................... 109 Hormone Secretion by the Placenta ........................................................... 109 Effects of Placental Hormones on Maternal Metabolism .................................. 110 MATERNAL NUTRITION AND THE PLACENTA .......................................... 112 Maternal Nutrition and Placental Structure .................................................. 112 Maternal Nutrition and Placental Hormones ................................................ 113 Maternal Nutrition and Nutrient Availability to the Placenta ............................. 114 Other Maternal Factors Affecting Nutrient Supply ......................................... 115 CONCLUSIONS ...................................................................................... 115