The placental transfer of retinol and β-carotene was assessed based on maternal serum, cord serum and placental levels at term parturition in women with adequate (n = 15; serum retinol > 20 μg/dl) and subadequate (n = 16; serum retinol ≤ 20 μg/dl) vitamin-A status. There was no difference in retinol and β-carotene levels in placenta and cord serum between these groups. However, differences in the relation of maternal, placental and cord blood components were observed between women with adequate and subadequate vitamin-A status. In women with subadequate status, circulating fetal retinol levels correlated with placental retinol levels, and maternal serum β-carotene correlated with placental retinol. Within this group, maternal serum β-carotene and cord serum retinol correlated significantly in women with serum retinol levels lower than 15 μg/dl. These results suggest that β-carotene may be a precursor of retinol in placenta and that this conversion may depend on the nutritional status of the mother, being particularly effective in a more depleted state.

Keywords:
Retinol, β-Carotene, Maternal-fetal transfer, Placenta, Vitamin-A status
© 1996 S. Karger AG, Basel
1996
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