3. ENDOCRINAL FUNCTION
Cytotrophoblastic layer of chorionic villi produce hcG hormone.
It present in large quantity between 7th & 10th week ( Peak
production) and gradully decrease as pregnancy advances.
Estrogen are produced by placenta in large amount throughout
pregnancy.
Progesterone, produced in syntiotrophoblast in increasing quantity
until immediately before onset of labor when level falls ( Prepare
maternal tissues and uterus for fetus delivery)
Human placental lactogen ( HPL), produced that involved in
lactogenic and metabolic processes in pregnancy.
Production of HPL ↑ as level of hcG falls and continue throughout
pregnancy.
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4. RESPIRATION FUNCTION
Placenta serves as fetus’s lung and allow transmission
oxygen.
Fetus obtain oxygen and excrete Co2 through placenta.
Oxygen from mothers Hb passes into fetal blood by simple
diffusion similarly fetus gives off Co2 into maternal blood.
Oxygen inhale by mother diffuse into blood, then O2 reach
to circulatory system of fetus through umbilical cord.
Placenta prevent chances of inhaling amniotic fluid.
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5. NUTRITION FUNCTION
• Main function to supply adequate nutrition like amino
acid, glucose, vitamins, mineral, lipids, water and
electrolyte are transferred across placental membrane.
• Foods from maternal diet broken down into the simpler
forms and reaches to placental site.
• Placenta selects these substance according to
requirement.
• Breaks down complex nutrient into compounds that can
be used by fetus.
Protein- Amino acids
Carbohydrate- Glucose
Fat- Fatty acid.
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6. STORAGE FUNCTION
• Placenta store glucose, iron and vitamins.
• Glucose stored in glycogen form and gets reconverted to
glucose when required.
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7. EXCRETION FUNCTION
• Co2 is major substance excreted from fetus.
• Excretion of bilirubin formed during RBC breakdown.
• Excreation of small amount of urea and uric acid.
• Placenta acts like kidney, it filter blood to eliminates
harmful substances.
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8. PROTECTION FUNCTION
• Placental membrane has limited barrier function.
• Maternal IgG, gets passed to the fetus to provide
immunity for baby for first 3 months after birth.
• Most drugs also crosses the barrier and reaches to
fetus.
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9. ENZYMATIC FUNCTION
• Phospholipase, synthesize arachidonic acid
• Oxytocinase nutralize oxytocin.
• Serve as protective barrier for fetus against noxious
agents circulating in maternal blood.
• Placental hormone have immunosuppressive effects.
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BARRIER FUNCTION
IMMUNOLOGICAL FUNCTION
