Placental transfer of diethylhexyl phthalate in the guinea-pig placenta perfused in situ.

Placental transport of diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) in guinea-pigs has been studied with a placental perfusion technique. This transfer was shown to be independent of perfusion flow rate within 1.5-2.3 ml/min. when heparinized blood was used as perfusion media. When dextran solution (Macrodex) or dextran solution with the addition of Intralipid was used as perfusion medium there was no transport of DEHP from the maternal to the foetal compartment. The placental transport of DEHP was shown to be dependent on the albumin concentration in the perfusion media, up to an albumin concentration of 54 mg/ml. With gamma-globulin solution as perfusion medium there was no placental transfer of DEHP.