Role of Maternal/Fetal Iron Status on Placental Transferrin Receptor Expression

Abstract

The placenta plays an important role in mediating iron transfer to the fetus. However, the responsiveness of the placenta to maternal and fetal demands remains unclear. Placental transferrin receptor (TfR) is a key placental iron transport protein on the apical membrane. Placentas were collected from twelve pregnant adolescents (38‐40 wks gestation) and protein expression of TfR was examined. Iron status indicators were assessed from maternal blood obtained during the second trimester and at delivery. Cord blood samples were also collected at birth. There was a significant inverse relationship between cord serum ferritin (SF) and placental TfR expression (P=0.042). A non‐significant inverse trend was detected between maternal SF in the second trimester and placental TfR expression (P=0.075). Relationships between maternal SF in the second trimester and cord SF approached significance (P=0.055). However, maternal SF at birth was not significantly related to placental TfR expression or cord SF. Hemoglobin and TfR in both the infant and mother were not significantly related to placental TfR expression. In conclusion both maternal and fetal iron status appear to impact placental expression of TfR. Studies are on‐going to assess the impact of maternal iron status on neonatal iron stores at birth in the planned cohort of 300 pregnant teens.Grant Funding SourceSupported by USDA Grant no. 2008‐0857.