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Longitudinal Assessment of Erythrocyte Fatty Acid Composition Throughout Pregnancy and Post Partum
Author(s) -
Stewart Frances,
Rodie Vanessa A.,
Ramsay Jane E.,
Greer Ian A.,
Freeman Dilys J.,
Meyer Barbara J.
Publication year - 2007
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/s11745-006-3005-5
Subject(s) - gestation , pregnancy , fetus , medicine , post partum , fatty acid , body mass index , blood sampling , early pregnancy factor , obstetrics , zoology , physiology , endocrinology , biology , biochemistry , genetics
Transfer of fatty acids from mother to fetus during pregnancy is a requirement for optimal fetal growth. We report a longitudinal study of full maternal erythrocyte fatty acid profile assessed at each trimester of pregnancy [mean 12.5 (range 8–14), 26.1 (24–28) and 35.5 (33–38) weeks’ gestation] and in the post partum period [18.1 (12–26) weeks]. The study recruited healthy women ( n = 47) from routine antenatal clinics at the Princess Royal Maternity Unit, Glasgow, Scotland. There were increases in 16:1 n 7 (22%, p = 0.0005), 24:1 n 9 (13%, p = 0.0032), 22:5 n 6 (25%, p = 0.0003), 18:3 n 3 (41%, p = 0.0007) and 22:6 n 3 (20%, p = 0.0005) concentrations during pregnancy. The greatest increases took place between gestations at sampling of 12.5 and 26.1 weeks. The change in 16:1 n 7 concentration between gestations at sampling of 12.5 and 35.3 weeks was negatively associated with maternal booking body mass index ( r = −0.40, p = 0.006). The change in 22:6 n 3 concentration was correlated with the change in 24:1 n 9 ( r = 0.70, p < 0.001). In samples taken four months post partum, 14:0 concentration was lower (29%, p = 0.0002) and 24:0 concentration (15%, p = 0.0009) and n 6/ n 3 ratio (11%, p = 0.0019) were higher than at a gestation at sampling of 12.5 weeks. In conclusion, several fatty acids are specifically mobilised during pregnancy. The correlation between maternal 22:6 n 3 and 24:1 n 9 suggests that mobilisation of these fatty acids may be coordinated. The inverse relationship between 16:1 n 7 and maternal central obesity warrants further investigation.