OBJECTIVETo detect the concentration of serum hepcidin and the mRNA expression level of ferroportin1 (FPN1) in the placenta membrane from full term pregnant women with different degree of iron deficiency, and explore their roles for iron transport in placental.

METHODSThe concentration of HGB, serum iron (SI) and serum ferritin (SF) of mothers and infants were detected in 55 full term pregnant women and neonates. The expression level of FPN1 mRNA in placental was detected by the RT-PCR technique. The concentration of serum hepcidin was detected by double antibody sandwich biotin avidin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The serum hepcidin level and the FPN1 mRNA expression in the full term placenta from different maternal iron status were compared in three groups.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in the cord blood HGB, SI and SF of newborns from pregnant women with different iron status (P>0.05). The concentration of serum hepcidin of pregnant women among normal, iron deficiency and mild iron deficiency anemia were (193.637±52.219), (176.523±43.875), and (147.623±37.768) μg/L respectively, with statistical significance (F=3.872, P=0.027). The expression levels of FPN1 mRNA among three groups were 0.462±0.077, 0.507±0.074 and 0.551±0.104 respectively, with statistical significance (F=4.767, P=0.013). A negative correlation between maternal serum hepcidin and placental FPN1 mRNA (r=-0.383, P=0.004) was identified.

CONCLUSIONThere were no significant differences in the iron status of corresponding newborns from pregnant women with different iron status. With the severity of maternal iron deficiency, the concentration of serum hepcidin was down-regulated, while the expression of FPN1 mRNA in placenta was up-regulated.