title: Release of lipid from the equine placenta during in vitro incubation.
abstract: An in vitro incubation technique was used to examine release of lipids from the equine placenta. Placental tissue was obtained at term (n = 5, term = 320-365 days) and earlier in gestation (n = 8, mean = 266 days). Term placentae were incubated at two temperatures, 4 degrees C (control) and 37 degrees C for 2 h. Pre-term placentae were incubated at 37 degrees C with two different concentrations of fatty acid in the medium. Tissues and media were analysed for their lipid concentrations. Term and pre-term placentae released free fatty acid (FFA) and phospholipid into the incubation medium during incubation at 37 degrees C. Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids derived from the essential fatty acids were released into the media. The fatty acid profiles of the lipids released during incubation more closely resembled those of fetal plasma than maternal plasma lipids as measured in previous studies. These data are consistent with the view that the equine placenta is a source of both FFA and phospholipid for the fetus and that the placenta may provide long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids for the fetal foal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Health, University Hospital and Medical School, Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Stammers
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hull
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Silver
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Fowden
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ousey
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Rossdale
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000378:metabolism; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013696:Temperature; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D008055:Lipids; D010743:Phospholipids; D014280:Triglycerides