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The fatty acid composition of placenta in intrauterine growth retardation
P Percy1, G Vilbergsson, A Percy
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sahlgren's Hospital, University of Göteborg, Sweden.
Insights
Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) significantly reduces essential fatty acids in the placenta, particularly arachidonic acid. This suggests nutrient transport to the fetus may occur at the placenta's expense.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Human Placental Biology
- Nutritional Biochemistry
Background:
- Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) affects fetal development and can have long-term health consequences.
- Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are crucial for fetal growth and development, with the placenta playing a key role in their transport.
- Alterations in placental EFA composition may indicate compromised nutrient transfer to the fetus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of IUGR on the essential fatty acid composition of the human placenta.
- To compare EFA profiles in placentas from small for gestational age (SGA) births versus controls.
- To understand potential consequences of altered placental EFA levels on fetal development.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of fatty acid composition in total acylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine (PC), and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) from 15 SGA placentas and 7 control placentas.
- Comparison of EFA levels, including linoleic and linolenic acid series, between SGA and control groups.
- Examination of cord plasma PC fatty acid patterns to assess fetal transfer.
Main Results:
- Acylglycerol fatty acid content was similar between SGA and control placentas.
- SGA placentas showed significantly lower proportions of linoleic acid series fatty acids, including arachidonic acid.
- PC and PE fractions in SGA placentas exhibited a more pronounced reduction in linoleic and linolenic acid series fatty acids.
- Cord plasma PC fatty acid patterns were nearly identical between groups.
Conclusions:
- IUGR leads to significant alterations in placental essential fatty acid composition, particularly in membrane phospholipids.
- Reduced placental EFA levels, especially arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids, may impair fetal development and signaling pathways.
- The placenta appears to prioritize EFA transport to the fetus, potentially depleting its own reserves in cases of IUGR.
Abstract:
To examine the impact of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) on essential fatty acids in human placenta, fatty acid composition in total acylglycerol and in the major phosphoglycerides phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), of 15 placentas from small for gestational age (SGA) births was compared with that of 7 control placentas. The acylglycerol fatty acid content was similar between the two groups, but the proportion of fatty acids of the linoleic acid series, including arachidonic acid, was significantly lower in SGA placentas. When the fatty acid composition in PC was studied, the reduction in fatty acids of the linoleic acid series was even more striking, and fatty acids of the linolenic acid series was also significantly less in the SGA group. These fatty acid changes in placenta membrane phospholipids can affect the transport of important nutrients to the fetal compartment. The decreased level of arachidonic acid and docosahexanoic acid might also lead to a disturbed formation of fetal thromboxane and prostacyclin. However, cord plasma PC fatty acid patterns were nearly identical in the two groups suggesting that in IUGR, the essential fatty acids will be transported to the fetus at the expense of the placenta.