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Maternal-fetal fluid balance and aquaporins: from molecule to physiology

Xiao-yan Sha1, Zheng-fang Xiong, Hui-shu Liu

  • 1Department of Obstetrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Centre, Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou 510623, China.

Acta Pharmacologica Sinica
|May 24, 2011
PubMed

Maternal-fetal fluid balance is critical during pregnancy, and amniotic fluid is essential for fetal growth and development. The placenta plays a key role in a successful pregnancy as the interface between the mother and her fetus. Aquaporins (AQPs) form specific water channels that allow the rapid transcellular movement of water in response to osmotic/hydrostatic pressure gradients. AQPs expression in the placenta and fetal membranes may play important roles in the maternal-fetal fluid balance.

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