Transfer of maternal plasma free fatty acids into the rat fetus

The amount of maternal plasma free fatty acids passing to the fetus has been determined to be 0.09 mumoles fatty acids per min per each litter. Taking account of the increase of the total fetal fatty acid pool due to the fetal growth (0.2 mumoles fatty acids per min for each litter) we conclude that the maternal circulation is the source of about half of fetal fatty acids on day 21 of pregnancy.