Placenta a vitamin D gatekeeper

Vitamin D levels are usually tightly regulated by the liver but double during pregnancy. The reason why this happens is beginning to be understood.

Our researchers examined the placenta and found a key gene is turned off by small molecular beacons that can stick to genes and influence the way they work.

Reporting their findings in The Journal of Biological Chemistry the team speculated that it was through this mechanism that the foetus could be assured the required amount of vitamin D.

Co-author of the study Dr Richard Saffery said a growing foetus was unable to make its own vitamin D, relying on its mother’s body to provide it.

He said vitamin D deficiency could also result in rejection of the pregnancy and had been linked to pre-eclampsia, an abnormality of the placenta resulting in high blood pressure in the mother.

Co-author Dr Jeff Craig said the finding was small piece of the puzzle explaining the placenta’s role as gatekeeper, with follow up studies needed to better understand the mechanisms at play.

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