Ferrokinetics in pregnancy: I. Fetus and newborn

Abstract Ferrokinetic studies of the goat fetus in utero are presented and are compared to studies in the newborn goat at 24 and 48 hours of age. The hematocrit, serum iron, and plasma iron disappearance half-time have been determined. Based on the observation of a markedly elevated serum iron concentration and shortened radio iron disappearance in the fetus, the major finding is that of a greatly increased plasma iron turnover of the fetus in utero as compared to that of the newborn goat.