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The metabolism of 18∶0 and 18∶2(n−6) by the ovine placenta at 120 and 150 days of gestation
Author(s) -
Shand J. H.,
Noble R. C.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
lipids
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.601
H-Index - 120
eISSN - 1558-9307
pISSN - 0024-4201
DOI - 10.1007/bf02534924
Subject(s) - gestation , placenta , lipidology , clinical chemistry , metabolism , biology , andrology , physiology , medicine , pregnancy , endocrinology , fetus , genetics
The effects of the approach of parturition in the, sheep on the incorporation of 18∶0 and 18∶2(n−6) into the placental lipids and on the activities of the Δ9‐ and Δ6‐desaturase enzymes of placental tissue have been studied in vitro. The incorporation of 18∶0 into the esterified lipids of placental tissue between the 120th and 150th days of gestation declined markedly; the high level of incorporation of 18∶2(n−6) into the esterified lipids of the placenta (some 2‐fold higher than18∶0) remained constant over the gestational period. While placental Δ9‐desaturase activity was the same at 150 days as at 120 days of gestation, the activity of the Δ6‐desaturase enzyme increased significantly. These results are discussed in relation to the fetal demand for fatty acids near term and the differences that exist between the mechanisms of maternal‐fetal transfer of 18∶0 and 18∶2(n−6) in the sheep.