Fetal haemoglobin, HbF, is the major form of haemoglobin during uterine life.
HbF has an alpha2 gamma2 structure.
The oxygen affinity of HbF is higher than adult HbA, allowing efficient transfer of oxygen across the placenta.
The higher affinity for oxygen is thought to stem from the fact that HbF binds 2,3 DPG less strongly than HbA.
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