Method |
Approach for preparing placental materials |
Experimental data derived |
Placental Membrane Preparations |
Isolation of brush border and basal membranes, generally from term human placenta |
Transport of solutes across brush border or basal membranes of syncytiotrophoblast. Interaction of solutes on membrane transport mechanisms. No data on solute metabolism or retention by the placenta. |
Placental Cell Culture |
Primary trophoblast cell culture and transformed trophoblast cell culture, across gestational ages. |
Uptake, metabolism of solutes by trophoblast. Impact of solutes on trophoblast metabolism and function. |
Placental explants |
Isolated villi in perifusion medium, across gestational ages. |
Uptake, metabolism and retention of solutes by placental villi, Impact of solutes on villous function. |
Placental perfusion |
Identification of intact cotyledon with perfusion of maternal and fetal portions of the placenta, generally from term human placenta. Possible to study placenta from maternal, fetal or placental disease states. |
Uptake, metabolism and retention of solutes by placenta. Directionality of transport (maternal to fetal or reverse). Impact of solute on placental function, integrity of placental vasculature and vascular responses. |
Maternal and fetal bloods sampled from umbilical cord |
Samples taken generally at term following delivery, however some studies have sampled fetal blood in utero. Placental materials are generally not studied in these analyses. |
Concentrations of parent solute and metabolites at fixed periods of time after maternal dosing. |
See [17] for a more detailed discussion of these various methods for assessing placental disposition and impact of opioids