Race, pregravid BMI and gestational weight gain determine placental fatty acid transfer

Abstract

Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA), arachidonic acid (AA) and docosoahexaenoic acid (DHA), are essential fatty acids for fetal growth (AA) and development (DHA). The fetus relies on maternal stores and placental transfer for LCPUFAs. In our study population of Hispanic and African‐American women, the relationships between maternal and fetal red blood cell (RBC) AA and DHA were examined and predictors of fetal fatty acids such as age, maternal pregavid body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain, and race were determined. Maternal and venous cord blood and health histories were obtained at delivery (n=9). Gas chromatography was used to assess RBC fatty acids (wt %). Pearson correlations were used to analyze relationships. Stepwise regression determined the most significant predictors of AA and DHA transfer. There was preferential transfer of DHA and AA from mother to fetus over precursor fatty acids. Maternal DHA was positively correlated with fetal DHA (p=0.046), while AA was not. BMI and gestational weight gain were the strongest predictors of AA transfer to the fetus (p=0.045). DHA was less efficiently transferred in Hispanics than in African‐Americans (p=0.036). Future work is needed to better understand how other factors such as maternal diet affect these findings.Funded by a Howard Hughes Medical Institute grant to LSU (ARS); LSU AgCenter; USDA‐AFRI (CJL‐K)