Materno-foetal exchanges and utilisation of nutrients by the foetus: comparison between species

Several general features of nutrient uptake and utilisation by foetuses are similar among mammalian species. Nevertheless, there are also differences linked mainly to differences in placental permeability. Glucose and lactate are the main energetic substrates of the foetus. In normal conditions, the oxidation of carbohydrates accounts for about 75, 60 and 50% of oxygen uptake in the foetal pig, foal and lamb, respectively, and acetate accounts for about 10% in ruminants. Acidic amino acids are synthesised by the foetus, whereas neutral and basic amino acids are transported from the placenta. As shown by the high urea level in foetal blood, amino acids are partly involved in the oxidative metabolism of foetuses; their contribution is higher in ruminants than in humans, horses and pigs. Fatty acids cross the haemochorial placenta of rodents, rabbits and primates, and are incorporated into the foetal lipids, whereas their uptake by ruminant, pig and horse foetuses is very low.