title: Synthesis of arachidonic acid in the human placenta in vitro.
abstract: The syntheses of arachidonic acid and total fatty acids were measured in human placentas at the end of the first trimester and at term using 14C-acetate in in vitro incorporation experiments. The rates of arachidonic acid synthesis were determined to be 0.70 (first trimester) and 0.64 (term) mumol/h/100 g of placental tissue. The calculated rates of total fatty acid synthesis amount to 0.5 (first trimester) and 0.6 (term) mumol palmitate-equivalents/h/100 g. The results suggest that the human placenta seems to be not dependent on maternal arachidonic acid. Near term the placenta even could be source of arachidonic acid.
mesh_terms: D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third
chemical_list: D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D005227:Fatty Acids