Ascorbic acid concentration of human fetal tissues in relation to fetal size and gestational age

Abstract

1. Studies were carried out on the distribution of ascorbic acid in human fetal tissues with the progress of gestation. 2. Fetuses and stillborn babies varying in gestational age from 12 to 38 weeks were obtained from various Baroda hospitals. Ascorbic acid levels were determined in selected tissues: brain, adrenal, liver, kidney, lung, heart and placenta. 3. Ascorbic acid concentration in the brain was higher than that in the adrenal at all gestational ages, suggesting the importance of this vitamin in brain development. The concentrations of this vitamin in liver, kidney, lung and placenta were comparable, but that in the heart tended to be lower. In all the tissues, there was a fall in ascorbic acid during late gestation. However, the levels in tissues of stillborn babies were higher than those reported for adults.