Gestational hyperlipidemia in the rat is characterized by accumulation of n - 6 and n - 3 fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic acid.
We have evaluated the relative and quantitative changes in long-chain fatty acids in maternal liver, serum, carcass and conceptus (fetuses plus placentae) during pregnancy in the rat, to ascertain whether previous concern over lower proportions of n - 6 and n - 3 fatty acids in maternal serum could be indicative of suboptimal n - 6 or n - 3 fatty acid status. Gestational hyperlipidemia was characterized by proportional decreases in linoleic, stearic and arachidonic acids but increases in palmitic and docosahexaenoic acids. However, the quantitative amount (microgram/ml) of linoleic, arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids in serum lipids actually increased 2-5-fold from mid-pregnancy to term. Compared to non-pregnant rats, gestational hyperlipidemia was also associated with a lower proportion but similar quantity of linoleic acid in maternal carcass and adipose stores. We conclude that gestational hyperlipidemia in the rat is characterized by a relative but not quantitative decrease in whole-body stores of n - 6 fatty acids and a marked proportional and quantitative increase in docosahexaenoic acid in maternal organs and in the conceptus.
Chen
Z Y
ZY
Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Yang
J
J
Cunnane
S C
SC
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D010743:Phospholipids; D014280:Triglycerides; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids