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Role of Placental Glucose Transporters in Determining Fetal Growth

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Abstract

Maternal nutrient availability and its transport through the placenta are crucial for fetal development. Nutrients are transported to the fetus via specific transporters present on the microvillous (MVM) and basal membrane (BM) of the placenta. Glucose is the most abundant nutrient transferred to the fetus and plays a key role in the fetal growth and development. The transfer of glucose across the human placenta is directly proportional to maternal glucose concentrations, and is mediated by glucose transporter family proteins (GLUTs). Maternal glucose concentration influences expression and activity of GLUTs in the MVM (glucose uptake) and BM (glucose delivery). Alteration in the number and function of these transporters may affect the growth and body composition of the fetus. The thin-fat phenotype of the Indian baby (low ponderal index, high adiposity) is proposed as a harbinger of future metabolic risk. We propose that placental function mediated through nutrient transporters contributes to the phenotype of the baby, specifically that glucose transporters will influence neonatal fat. This review discusses the role of various glucose transporters in the placenta in determining fetal growth and body composition, in light of the above hypothesis.

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Source: Modified from Illsley et al. 2000

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Acknowledgements

Author AS was the recipient of “Research Associate” from Indian Council of Medical Research, Government of India.

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The authors received funding from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), India.

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  1. Mother and Child Health, Interactive Research School for Health Affairs, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune-Satara Road, Pune, 411043, India

    Nikita P. Joshi, Aditi R. Mane, Akriti S. Sahay, Deepali P. Sundrani & Sadhana R. Joshi

  2. Diabetes Unit, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, India

    Chittaranjan S. Yajnik

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  1. Nikita P. Joshi
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Nikita P. Joshi, Aditi R. Mane, Akriti S. Sahay, Deepali P. Sundrani, Sadhana R. Joshi, and Chittaranjan S. Yajnik contributed to writing the manuscript.

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Joshi, N.P., Mane, A.R., Sahay, A.S. et al. Role of Placental Glucose Transporters in Determining Fetal Growth. Reprod. Sci. 29, 2744–2759 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-021-00699-9

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