Figure 1.

The metabolomic profile of first (n = 5) and second trimester (n = 5) and term placental tissue (n = 4). Tissue samples were subjected to quantitative ¹H-NMR analysis to measure the expression of individual metabolites (expressed as µmol per g placental tissue). (A) There were no significant differences in ATP/ADP ratio, or expression of NAD⁺, lactate or glucose among the groups. (B) The concentrations of taurine increased significantly with increased gestation, whilst concentrations of polyols, inositol and hydrophobic amino acids (val/leu/ile) decreased with advanced gestation. (C) Creatine phosphate concentration (measured by NMR) was significantly decreased with increased gestational age and was confirmed by reduced CK activity measured placental homogenates by ELISA. All results were analysed by a non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis test.