Tissue levels of ascorbic acid during rat gestation.

Maternal rat lung, liver, kidney and portions of small intestine lost up to 40% of their ascorbic acid between early pregnancy and the 15th day of gestation. From then to the end of pregnancy, the ascorbic acid content of the tissues increased by 30 to 60%. Ascorbic acid in fetal lung doubled in concentration on the 18th day of fetal life before a pre and post natal value of 200 micrograms/g tissue was established. Fetal liver had a minor rise in ascorbic acid concentration on the 18th day. Just prior to birth, the ascorbic acid content in fetal lung was 30% and fetal liver 50% higher than maternal.