Content and balance of trace elements in placenta on different stages of gestation

Abstract

Functional status of placenta, which provides nutrients to the fetus, plays an important role in miscarriage. The aim to investigate content and balance of trace elements (Fe, Cu, Co, Zn, Mg, Mn) in placenta in different terms of gestation. Materials and methods. We studied content and balance of essential trace elements (Fe, Cu, Co, Zn, Mg, Mn) in placenta of 52 women which born babies in different terms of gestation. The content of micronutrients studied using atomic absorption spectrophotometer C-115 MI. Results. We established average content and ratio of essential trace elements in placenta of women which born babies on 24-28, 29-31, 32-36 and 37-41 week of gestation. Conclusions. Intensive processes of accumulation and transport of essential trace elements took place in placenta during gestation. It was noted that the content of Fe, Cu and Zn was increased during gestation process and reached maximum level on 29-31 week of gestation. Mn content reached maximum level on 32-36 weeks. Indicators of Co in placenta gradually increased from 24-28 week of gestation and Mg level by contrast reduced. In addition, we investigated the ratio of essential trace elements in placenta, which showed that in pairs Fe/Co, Cu/Co, Zn/Mn and Mg/Mn we observed a significant decreasing of indicators (p<0.05) from 24 to 36 week of gestation, and in pairs Fe/Mg, Cu/Zn, Cu/Mg and Co/Mg - significant increasing of indicators during gestational process. Also we found a positive correlation between Cu and Mn (rxy=0.5732, p<0.05) at 24-28 weeks of gestation, Mg and Mn (rxy=0.5855, p<0.05) on 32-36 weeks, Mg and Mn on 29-31 weeks (rxy=0.8272, p<0.01) and Zn and Mn on 32-36 week of gestation (rxy=0.8097, p<0.05). So, features of transport and deposition of essential trace elements require further research.

Keywords

• trace elements
• prematurity
• placenta
• fetus