ABSTRACT
INTRAUTERINE ACQUISITION A Vitamin A is transferred from mother to fetus during pregnancy, in late gestation, in most animal (5-11). Although the precise mechanisms of intrauterine transfer are the placental transport of matemal vitamin A complexed with maternal protein (RBP) appears to be the predominant source of vitamin A for the fetus in early gestation. In late on the other hand, the RBP the fetal liver appears to be involved in extracting vitamin A from the placental circulation. Swallowed amniotic fluid containing vitamin A (12,13) and transfer of maternal lipoproteins containing retinyl esters (9) are other possible sources of vitamin A for the fetus.
