| [ Summary ] |
The fetal serum concentration of calcium and phosphate is higher than that in the pregnant mother, especially during late gestation. To keep these high levels of calcium and phosphate in fetus is required to achieve normal mineralization of the fetal skeleton. The placenta plays a central role in the regulation of fetal-specific mineral metabolism through the materno fetal active transport of calcium and phosphate. Moreover, the in utero regulation of some mineral metabolism-related hormones differs between pregnant and lactating women compared with non-pregnant adults, which contributes to the fetal mineral metabolism homeostasis. However, little is known about how mineral metabolism is regulated in the fetus compared with that in the adult owing to the difficulty studying human fetuses. |