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Ascorbic acid concentration of human fetal tissues in relation to fetal size and gestational age

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

Sunita Zalani ,
R. Rajalakshmi  and
L. J. Parekh
Sunita Zalani
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, M.S. University, Baroda, India
R. Rajalakshmi
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, M.S. University, Baroda, India
L. J. Parekh
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, M.S. University, Baroda, India
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Abstract

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1. Studies were carried out on the distribution of ascorbic acid in human fetal tissues with the progress of gestation.

2. Fetuses and stillborn babies varying in gestational age from 12 to 38 weeks were obtained from various Baroda hospitals. Ascorbic acid levels were determined in selected tissues: brain, adrenal, liver, kidney, lung, heart and placenta.

3. Ascorbic acid concentration in the brain was higher than that in the adrenal at all gestational ages, suggesting the importance of this vitamin in brain development. The concentrations of this vitamin in liver, kidney, lung and placenta were comparable, but that in the heart tended to be lower. In all the tissues, there was a fall in ascorbic acid during late gestation. However, the levels in tissues of stillborn babies were higher than those reported for adults.

Type
Vitamins
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 61 , Issue 3 , May 1989 , pp. 601 - 606
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 1989

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