Free amino-acid concentrations in the equine placenta: relationship to maternal and fetal plasma concentrations

M. Young*, W.R. Allen, N.E.P. Deutz

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Free amino-acid concentrations were measured in maternal venous and fetal umbilical vein plasma, and in the allantochorion, of Thoroughbred mares at term. Concentrations in maternal and fetal plasma were similar to those reported previously in equids. The concentrations of free amino-acids in the allantochorion were higher than those in the maternal and fetal plasmas and were characterised by high levels of the nonessential amino-acids as observed in other species. Fourteen of the 20 amino-acids measured had similar allantochorion/umbilical vein concentration ratios suggesting that simple gradient diffusion might play a part in their transfer from the placenta to the fetus.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)279-281
JournalResearch in Veterinary Science
Volume74
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2003

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