Transfer of riboflavin by the perfused human placenta

The transfer of radioactive riboflavin across the human term placenta has been studied in an in vitro perfusion system. The clearance index (clearance riboflavin:clearance antipyrine) toward the fetus averaged 0.69 and the transfer index (clearance riboflavin:clearance L-glucose) averaged 3.40. The respective indices in the reverse direction were 0.25 and 0.87. Stepwise increases in the concentration of riboflavin in the maternal perfusate were associated with parallel increases in transfer rates, expressed as ng/min, up to concentrations approximating 100 ng/ml. Above that concentration, the transfer rates continued to increase at a slower rate. Concurrently, there was a reduction of the transfer index from 2.7 to 1.1 at 1000 ng/ml. With the fetal circulation closed, the placenta established a gradient toward the fetus over a period of 150 min of 1.7. The transferred radioactivity was identified as riboflavin by high-performance liquid chromatography, whereas that retained within the placenta was metabolized to flavin mononucleotide (33-75%). The observations indicate a very effective active transport system directed toward the fetus which is limited in capacity to low concentrations of riboflavin.