Modulation of bilayer fluidity by lipid peroxidation of human placental syncytiotrophoblast membranes during embryogenesis.

Placental syncytiotrophoblast while regulating the passage of nutrients from maternal blood to the fetal circulation exposes itself to the risk of oxidative attack by the oxygen free radicals. Extent of lipid peroxidation (LPO) investigated in placental brush border membrane (BBM) and basal membrane (BM) revealed a decreasing trend with gestational progress. Steady-state fluorescence anisotropy measurement of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH)-labeled malondialdehyde treated placental membrane vesicles suggested modulation of BBM and BM fluidity by lipid peroxidation in all gestational ages. alpha-tocopherol content in both the placental membranes which increased as gestation progressed has been proposed to play a significant role in decreasing LPO of placental membranes during intrauterine development.