Selective Filtration of Vitamin C by the Placenta

Abstract

Summary

1. Additional data are presented to demonstrate the selective action of the placenta in filtering vitamin C from the maternal body. 2. Although this selectivity tends to take place at all levels of deficiency or saturation, latent scurvy may be present at birth, as the level of vitamin C in the placenta is, in the final analysis, dependent upon the maternal reserves of this substance.

The vitamin C used in these studies was Cebione, supplied through the courtesy of Merck and Company, Rahway, New Jersey.