Concentrations of tocopherols and carotenoids in maternal and cord blood plasma

To determine the levels of tocopherols, retinol and carotenoids in maternal and umbilical cord blood plasma and to investigate the relationships between them.

Venous blood plasma concentrations of alpha, gamma and delta-tocopherol, retinol, lutein, lycopene, zeaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin, alpha and beta-carotene were determined by HPLC in healthy pregnant women and in pair-matched umbilical cords. Plasma levels of triglycerides and cholesterol were also measured.

Sixty-six women, between 10 and 20 weeks gestation, were recruited randomly during their first antenatal appointment. From this group, 40 pair-matched umbilical cord blood samples were obtained.

Tocopherols, retinol, carotenoids and lipids were present in significantly higher (P < 0.001) concentrations in maternal plasma than in cord plasma. There was a significant correlation (r = 0.45, P < 0.005) between maternal and cord levels of gamma-tocopherol, but not of alpha-tocopherol, retinol or carotenoids. Tocopherols and carotenoids were significantly correlated with each other (P < 0.05) in maternal and cord plasma.

Plasma levels of tocopherols, carotenoids and lipids are substantially lower at birth than in adulthood. There is a clear relationship between gamma-tocopherol levels in maternal and cord plasma. The importance of gamma-tocopherol in human nutrition should be further investigated. There are no significant relationships between plasma alpha-tocopherol and carotenoids in pregnant mothers and cords. More research is needed to elucidate the maternal-foetal transfer of tocopherols and carotenoids, and to examine the impact of maternal antioxidant nutrient status on neonatal antioxidant capacity. It is important to determine if a low level of tocopherols and carotenoids at birth is a normal stage of human development or indicative of deficiency.