Zinc transport in pregnancy

Andrew W. Zimmerman, Barbara S. Dunham, David J. Nochimson, Bruce M. Kaplan, Jonathan M. Clive, Steven L. Kunkel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

40 Scopus citations

Abstract

Although the importance of zinc nutrition during pregnancy has been well recognized, there have been few studies of zinc transport in maternal or fetal sera. We examined total serum zinc levels as well as zinc associated with its major transport proteins, albumin and α2-macroglobulin, prospectively in 46 women during gestation and in 27 of their infants at term. In five women who developed preeclampsia during the third trimester, the mean total serum zinc level at 6 to 14 weeks was decreased by 14% compared to control values (p <0.05). Fetomaternal differences between the zinc transport proteins support the concept that each may have a specific role(s) in zinc homeostasis which is regulated to a greater extent by metabolic factors than by dietary zinc intake alone.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)523-529
Number of pages7
JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume149
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 1984
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

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