MCT1‐mediated bidirectional propionate transport across human placental syncytiotrophoblast layer: insights from a trophoblast stem cell‐derived barrier model

Propionate, a gut microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acid, influences fetal development and postnatal metabolic programming. Although the fetus lacks microbiota and endogenous propionate production, human pregnancies show a fetal-to-maternal propionate concentration ratio greater than unity, suggesting concentrative transport across the placenta. However, its underlying mechanism remains undefined. The present study aimed to identify the transporter responsible for transplacental transport of