How Do Things Cross the Placenta?

The placenta is the interface between mother and fetus. Functions of the placenta include gas exchange, metabolic transfer, hormone secretion, and fetal protection. Nutrient and drug transfer across the placenta are by passive diffusion, facilitated diffusion, active transport, and pinocytosis.

What can cross the placenta?

Towards the end of the pregnancy, the placenta passes on antibodies to protect the baby after birth. Alcohol, nicotine and other drugs and medicines can cross the placenta and damage your baby.

How do materials cross the placenta?

It is transported across the placenta by facilitated diffusion via hexose transporters that are not dependent on insulin (GLUT3 and GLUT1). Although the fetus receives large amounts of intact glucose, a large amount is oxidized within the placenta to lactate, which is used for fetal energy production.