Evidence of increased fatty acid transfer across the placenta during a maternal fast in rabbits.
Fetal rabbits were obtained by Caesarian section from 28-day pregnant does which had been fasted for 48 h (days 26-28). Organ weights, fat contents and blood metabolite levels were compared with a group obtained in a similar manner from non-fasted does. Similar data were obtained for term fetuses (31 days) born by natural delivery. In 28-day pregnant, fasted does, blood levels of free fatty acids (FFA) and glycerol were doubled compared with non-fasted controls. Fetal levels showed a similar increase. Both groups of fetuses from fasted does had increased fat stores both in the liver and adipose tissue. The overall increase in fat stores was 80-100%. It is suggested that during maternal fasting increased amounts of maternal FFA cross the placenta into the fetal circulation and are incorporated into the fetal fat stores.
D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005215:Fasting; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism*; D005865:Gestational Age; D005990:Glycerol / Q000097:blood; D007668:Kidney / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008099:Liver / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D009929:Organ Size; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011817:Rabbits
D001786:Blood Glucose; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D005990:Glycerol