Nutrient stores in human foetal livers

Abstract

1. Liver composition and hepatic nutrient stores in foetuses born to mothers belonging to a low socio-economic group of the population were determined.2. The contribution by the liver to body-weight and the concentration of water and nitrogen in liver at different gestational ages were relatively constant.3. Total iron and copper contents of the liver were in the normal reported range but the ferritin content was considerably lower in the present investigation.4. Hepatic stores of vitamin A, vitamin B12and folate were lower than the values that have been reported elsewhere.5. It is suggested that inadequate stores of iron, vitamin A, vitamin B12and folate in these infants may predispose them to the early development of some deficiency diesease.