title: Analysis of fatty acids in early mid-life in fertile women: Implications for reproductive decline and other chronic health problems.
abstract: The relationship between adipose fatty acid levels and age is examined in 635 Scottish fertile women aged 25-48. Fatty acids levels are highly significantly correlated with age. Factor analysis identifies four factors that account for 79.6% of variance in the data. Three Factors show significant regressions with age and patterns of involvement of specific fatty acids suggest that these Factors represent the activity of fatty acid delta-desaturase enzymes as follows: Factor 1-delta-9-desaturase, Factor 2-delta-5-desaturase, and Factor 4-delta-6-desaturase. Key changes, apparently reductions in enzyme activity, occur through the 30 and 40-year-old age groups. Such changes in enzyme function could account for decline in female fertility and increases in body fat and chronic disease common in early mid-life.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Rural Health and Community Development, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia. judy.ford@unisa.edu.au
authors.forename: Judith H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Ford
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tavendale
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012098:Reproduction
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids