Fetal storage of osmotically inactive sodium. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2020 Mar 01;318(3):R512-R514
Date
01/16/2020Pubmed ID
31940233Pubmed Central ID
PMC7099460DOI
10.1152/ajpregu.00336.2019Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85080850805 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 4 CitationsAbstract
Work in adult humans and animals suggest sodium (Na) is stored in tissue reservoirs without commensurate water retention. These stores may protect from water loss, regulate immune function, and participate in blood pressure regulation. A role for such stores early in life, during which total body Na sufficiency is vital for optimal growth, has not been explored. Using data from previously published literature, we calculated total body stores of Na, potassium (K), and chloride (Cl) during fetal development (24-40 wk gestation) using two methods 1) based on the distribution of body water mass within extracellular and intracellular compartments, and 2) reported total mineral content. Based on differences between the models, we argue that Na, and to a lesser extent Cl, but not K, are stored in osmotically inactive pools within the fetus that increase with advancing gestational age. Because human breastmilk is relatively Na deficient, we speculate the fetal osmotically inactive Na pool is vital for providing a sufficient total body Na content that supports optimal postnatal growth.
Author List
Segar JL, Grobe CC, Grobe JLAuthors
Justin L. Grobe PhD Professor in the Physiology department at Medical College of WisconsinJeffrey L. Segar MD Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AnimalsBlood Pressure
Body Water
Fetus
Humans
Hypertension
Minerals
Potassium
Sodium
Water-Electrolyte Balance