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Placental Function—Nutrient Transport—Gas Exchange

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The Placenta

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Abstract

The primary function of the placenta is to supply the growing fetus with energy in the form of nutrients and with oxygen. These two functions are discussed in detail in the following chapter. The supply of nutrients is subdivided into the transport of (1) lipids and fatty acids, (2) glucose, (3) proteins and amino acids, and (4) the transport of trace elements and minerals. Finally, the maternofetal gas exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide and the special properties of fetal hemoglobin are described.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria

    Michael Gruber

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria

    Birgit Hirschmugl, Carolin Schliefsteiner & Christian Wadsack

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  1. Michael Gruber
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  2. Birgit Hirschmugl
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  3. Carolin Schliefsteiner
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  4. Christian Wadsack
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Correspondence to Michael Gruber .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cell Biology Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria

    Berthold Huppertz

  2. Klinik für Frauenheilkunde und Geburtshilfe, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Jena, Germany

    Ekkehard Schleußner

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Gruber, M., Hirschmugl, B., Schliefsteiner, C., Wadsack, C. (2023). Placental Function—Nutrient Transport—Gas Exchange. In: Huppertz, B., Schleußner, E. (eds) The Placenta. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-66256-4_4

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