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The maternal transfer of lutein and zeaxanthin into the fetus during pregnancy
Author(s) -
Connor Sonja L.,
Connor William E.,
Bezzerides Eugenia A.,
Wang Yingming
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.451.4
Subject(s) - zeaxanthin , lutein , fetus , pregnancy , carotenoid , umbilical cord , medicine , endocrinology , biology , biochemistry , immunology , genetics
Mammal and avian embryos obtain lutein and zeaxanthin from maternal sources. To quantify this transfer in humans, we analyzed maternal and newborn plasma for lutein and zeaxanthin content at delivery. Newborn venous blood was obtained from the umbilical cord. For 15 term births, maternal plasma lutein was 17.6 ± 7.9 mcg/dL vs. newborn lutein of 3.9 ± 2.1, and maternal zeaxanthin was 3.7 ± 1.9 mcg/dL vs. newborn zeaxanthin of 0.9 ± 0.5. Newborn levels were 22 percent lower for lutein and 24 percent lower for zeaxanthin than respective maternal values. In six pre‐term births, values for lutein and zeaxanthin were much lower for both mothers and infants than in full terms: for lutein, maternal 8.5 ± 4.4 and pre‐term 2.0 ± 1.0; and for zeaxanthin, maternal 2.0 ± 1.0 and preterm 0.6 ± 0.3 mg/dL. The newborn plasma values of lutein and zeaxanthin were only 20 to 24 percent of maternal values. One reason for lower fetal values might be lower HDL levels in the fetus. HDL in cord plasma has been shown to be only 27 percent of the maternal HDL, the major transporter of lutein and zeaxanthin. Perhaps HDL can only carry so much lutein and zeaxanthin. These data indicate placental transfer of lutein and zeaxanthin. More transfer probably occurred later in pregnancy. Women who had higher plasma lutein and zeaxanthin delivered infants whose plasmas also had higher lutein and zeaxanthin levels. USDA grant