Expression and distribution of aquaporin 3 in human placenta and fetal membranes

Objective To investigate the expression and distribution of aquaporin 3(AQP3)in normal human placenta and fetal membranes.Methods Placenta and fetal membrane were collected from 5 normal women with intact membranes undergone elective cesarean sections at term.Expression and localization of AQP3 was detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry.Results AQP3 messenger RNA was found in placenta and fetal membrane.Western blot analysis also yielded positive results for placenta and fetal membrane with specific band site around 29 000.Immunohistochemical localization showed AQP3 Was present at syncytotrophoblast of placenta and there was no signal staining at epithelial cell of amnion.Condusion AQP3 may play an important role in maternal-fetal fluid balance. Key words: Aquaporin 3;  Placenta;  Fetal membranes;  Body fluids;  Gene expression