Transfer of Salbutamol in the human placenta in vitro.

The maternal-fetal transfer of Salbutamol was studied in vitro, in dual perfusion of isolated human placental lobules. The fraction of drug transferred to the fetal side was compared to reference substances:((14)C)-antipyrine and ((3H)-inulin. Salbutamol transfer (12%) represents about 39% of antipyrine and five times of inulin transfer. Studies with varying Salbutamol concentrations in the maternal arterial perfusate revealed that the drug transfer to the fetal side was effected by a flow-dependent diffusion process. We conclude that the reported effects on the fetus following a maternal drug infusion are mediated by the drug transferred across the placenta.