The role of n-3 LCPUFA in pregnancy

Maria Makrides

doi:10.1051/ocl.2011.0408

Abstract

The metabolic demand for n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA), particularly docosahexaenoic acid (22: 6 n-3, DHA) is increased during pregnancy because of the extra needs of the fetus, expanded maternal cell mass and placenta. However, in Western countries maternal dietary n-3 LCPUFA intake in pregnancy is low and it is not clear whether adaptive metabolic mechanisms, such as increased DHA synthesis from precursor fatty acids, are capable of meeting the increased need in pregnancy. Consequently randomized controlled trials have been important to determine whether additional dietary n-3 LCPUFA in pregnancy modifies pregnancy, maternal and infant health outcomes. Supplementation with at least 1g n-3 LCPUFA per day results in a modest increase in the duration of gestation that may be most evident at the extremes of gestation. Additionally, n-3 LPUFA supplementation of well nourished pregnant women has little benefit in preventing maternal postnatal depression and is unlikely to result in major benefits to the developmental outcomes of young children. Further work in needed to identify the specific ‘‘at risk’’ groups who are most likely to benefit from supplementation.

Highlights

The metabolic demand for n-3 log chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, (n-3 LCPUFA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) during pregnancy is higher than for the non-pregnant state
The fetus is supplied with its DHA from the maternal circulation and post-mortem studies indicate that the fetus accumulates an average of 67mg of n3 fatty acids, mostly as DHA, per day during the last trimester of pregnancy (Innis, 2003)
In addition the mother has increased requirements to support the expanded red cell mass and placenta as well as her own base needs. This increased metabolic need for DHA in pregnancy may be furnished by maternal DHA intake, adaptive metabolic mechanisms in pregnancy such as an increased synthetic capacity to metabolise ALA to DHA (Burdge and Calder, 2005) and a preferential use of the DHA stored in adipose tissue (Makrides and Gibson, 2000) and the DHA saved from pregnancy amenorrhea

Summary

Introduction

The metabolic demand for n-3 log chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, (n-3 LCPUFA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) during pregnancy is higher than for the non-pregnant state. This report, with data from approximately 14,000 women, suggests that a negligible intake of seafood at 32 weeks gestation was associated with a doubling in depressive symptoms compared with a high to moderate intake seafood intake supplying at least 320 mg n-3 LCPUFA per day (Hibbeln et al, 2003).

Results

Conclusion