Longitudinal study of fatty acids in plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids during pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the modifications of the main fatty acids (FA) in plasma and red blood cells during pregnancy.


METHODS
A longitudinal study of 36 normal pregnant women was carried out with 3 cut-off points: first trimester, second trimester and third trimester. 14 FA in plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids were measured using capillary gas chromatography. Measurements were expressed in percentages and in absolute values.


RESULTS
In plasma there was a significant increase in the proportion of saturated FA and a decrease in the proportion of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) both in the omega 6 (omega 6) and omega 3 (omega 3) series. On the other hand, in erythrocyte phospholipids there was a decrease in the proportion of eicosapentaenoic acid and an increase in that of docosahexaenoic acid. In the omega 6 series, dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid increased, whereas the omega 6 docosapentaenoic acid decreased.


CONCLUSIONS
There was a significant decrease in the proportion of omega 3 PUFA in plasma from the first to the third trimester. Thus, it is suggested that the omega 3 PUFA intake during pregnancy should be increased in the last trimester.
Matorras
R
R
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital of Cruces Pais Vasco University Baracaldo, Vizcaya, Spain. rmatorras@hcru.osakidetza.net
Ruiz
J I
JI
Perteagudo
L
L
Barbazan
M J
MJ
Diaz
A
A
Valladolid
A
A
Sanjurjo
P
P
D015126:8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000097:blood; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005215:Fasting; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D019814:Myristic Acid / Q000097:blood; D019308:Palmitic Acid / Q000097:blood; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy
D005227:Fatty Acids; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D010743:Phospholipids; D019814:Myristic Acid; D019308:Palmitic Acid; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; D015126:8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid; C026219:docosapentaenoic acid