PLACENTAL TRANSFER OF CHELATED IRON IN GUINEA PIG

Transplacental passage of maternally administered chelated iron was studied with the in situ perfusion technique of Money and Dancis. The placental barrier is impermeable to ferric citrate, ferric fructose, a number of amino acid chelates, and ferrioxamine iron chelates. Direct placental passage of iron administered bound to N,N′ ethylene bis (2-[2-hydroxy-5-cholorophenyl] glycine) (Cl-EHPG) was observed. Passage of iron from maternal to fetal compartments is not necessarily dependent upon differences in iron-binding capabilities of maternal or fetal transferrins or the presence of an intact fetus. © 1968.