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The 4-vessel Sampling Approach to Integrative Studies of Human Placental Physiology In Vivo
Published on: August 2, 2017
Ontogenic changes in human placental sodium iodide symporter expression
1Conjoint Endocrine Laboratory, Pathology Queensland, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, 4029 Brisbane, Australia.
The human fetus requires a maternal supply of iodide to synthesize thyroid hormone from 16 weeks gestation. Placental iodide transport is regulated by the sodium iodide symporter (NIS). We studied the ontogeny of NIS in placentas from surgically terminated pregnancies and from normal term pregnancies. NIS mRNA was low at 6 weeks gestation and peaked at 12 weeks gestation. Placental NIS protein levels are significantly correlated with gestational age during early pregnancy and increase with increased placental vascularization. This would lead to increased iodide supply to meet increased fetal requirements for thyroid hormone synthesis as the pregnancy progresses.
The human fetus requires a maternal supply of iodide to synthesize thyroid hormone from 16 weeks gestation. Placental iodide transport is regulated by the sodium iodide symporter (NIS). We studied the ontogeny of NIS in placentas from surgically terminated pregnancies and from normal term pregnancies. NIS mRNA was low at 6 weeks gestation and peaked at 12 weeks gestation. Placental NIS protein levels are significantly correlated with gestational age during early pregnancy and increase with increased placental vascularization. This would lead to increased iodide supply to meet increased fetal requirements for thyroid hormone synthesis as the pregnancy progresses.
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