S. Das et Hj. Powers, The effects of maternal intake and gestational age on materno-fetal transport of vitamin C in the guinea-pig, BR J NUTR, 80(5), 1998, pp. 485-491
The effects of maternal intake and gestational age on materno-fetal transpo
rt of vitamin C were investigated in female Dunkin-Hartley guinea-pigs. Twe
nty-four time-mated dams were fed on either a moderate-vitamin C (group A)
or a high-vitamin C (group B) diet, throughout pregnancy. At days 49, 63 an
d 66 of gestation, and at term, three animals from each group were killed a
nd fetuses removed by hysterectomy. Plasma, liver, kidney, lungs, heart, pl
acenta and amniotic fluid were collected from dams and fetuses and subseque
ntly analysed for vitamin C. Fetal plasma and amniotic fluid concentrations
showed negative associations with gestational age for both dietary groups,
independent of an effect of dam (P < 0.001). A similar, though not signifi
cant, effect of gestational age was observed on placental vitamin C and gro
up A fetal tissue concentrations. Fetal plasma, placental and amniotic flui
d vitamin C concentrations were significantly higher in group B than group
A (P < 0.001), suggesting the influence of maternal diet. Although the leve
l of maternal vitamin C intake can influence the circulating concentration
in the fetus, there is a decrease associated with increasing; gestational a
ge, independent of the maternal diet. The gestational age-dependent change
in the fetal accumulation of vitamin C may reflect changes in the rate of p
lacental transfer.