title: Placental fatty acid transfer: a key factor in fetal growth.
abstract: The functionality of the placenta may affect neonatal adiposity and fetal levels of key nutrients such as long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Fetal macrosomia and its complications may occur even in adequately controlled gestational diabetic (GDM) mothers, suggesting that maternal glycemia is not the only determinant of fetal glycemic status and wellbeing. We studied in vivo the placental transfer of fatty acids (FA) labeled with stable isotopes administered to 11 control and 9 GDM pregnant women (6 treated with insulin). Subjects received orally ¹³C-palmitic, ¹³C-oleic, and ¹³C-linoleic acids and ¹³C-docosahexaenoic acid (¹³C-DHA) 12 h before an elective caesarean section. FA were quantified by gas chromatography and ¹³C enrichments by gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The ¹³C-FA concentration was higher in total lipids of maternal plasma in GDM patients versus controls, except for ¹³C-DHA. Moreover, ¹³C-DHA showed a lower placenta/maternal plasma ratio in GDM patients versus controls and a significantly lower cord/maternal plasma ratio. Other FA ratios studied were not different between GDM and controls. A disturbed ¹³C-DHA placental uptake occurred in GDM patients treated with diet or insulin, while the latter also had lower ¹³C-DHA levels in the venous cord. The tracer study pointed towards an impaired placental DHA uptake as a critical step, while the transfer of other ¹³C-FA was less affected. Patients with GDM treated with insulin could also have a greater fetal fat storage, which may have contributed to the reduced ¹³C-DHA in the venous cord observed. The DHA transfer to the fetus was reduced in GDM pregnancies compared to controls. This might have an influence on fetal neurodevelopment and long-term consequences for the child.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Elvira
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Larqué
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pagán
authors.forename: María Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Prieto
authors.forename: José Eliseo
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Blanco
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gil-Sánchez
authors.forename: Matilde
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zornoza-Moreno
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ruiz-Palacios
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gázquez
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Demmelmair
authors.forename: Juan José
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Parrilla
authors.forename: Berthold
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Koletzko
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development; D005320:Fetal Macrosomia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D055495:Neurogenesis; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D005227:Fatty Acids; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids