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Related Concept Videos

Structure of Lipids03:38

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Lipids include a diverse group of compounds that are largely nonpolar in nature. This is because they are hydrocarbons that include mostly nonpolar carbon-carbon or carbon-hydrogen bonds. Non-polar molecules are hydrophobic (“water fearing”), or insoluble in water. Lipids perform many different functions in a cell. Cells store energy for long-term use in the form of fats. Lipids also provide insulation from the environment for plants and animals. For example, they help keep aquatic...
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Overview of Fatty Acid Metabolism01:28

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Lipids also are sources of energy that power cellular processes. Like carbohydrates, lipids are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, but these atoms are arranged differently. Most lipids are nonpolar and hydrophobic. Major types include fats and oils, waxes, phospholipids, and steroids.
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Lipid-derived Compounds in the Human Body01:31

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Fats and lipids are crucial components in the human body. Some lipid-derived compounds, such as fat-soluble vitamins, eicosanoids, lipoproteins, and glycolipids, also play unique roles to support various  biological processes .
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Although not a source of energy, cholesterol plays a significant role as a foundational structure for bile salts, steroid hormones, and vitamin D, as well as being a crucial component of plasma membranes. Approximately 15% of blood cholesterol is derived from our diet, with the remainder synthesized from acetyl CoA by the liver and intestines. Cholesterol is eliminated from the body through its conversion into bile salts, which are eventually discarded in the feces.
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Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile01:25

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Understanding serum lipids is crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health and preventing heart disease and stroke.
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Overview of Lipid Metabolism01:24

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Lipid metabolism is a crucial process in the human body that involves the synthesis and degradation of lipids. This process is essential for energy production, cell membrane formation, and hormone production, among other functions.
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Updated: Oct 18, 2025

The Use of Gas Chromatography to Analyze Compositional Changes of Fatty Acids in Rat Liver Tissue during Pregnancy
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Fatty acids in normal and pathological pregnancies.

Amanda K Mauro1, Aishwarya Rengarajan1, Carly Albright1

  • 1Perinatal Research Laboratories, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Wisconsin - Madison, School Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, 53715, USA.

Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
|October 5, 2021
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Summary

Essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are vital for healthy pregnancy and fetal development. Disruptions in these fatty acids are linked to gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and preterm birth, with potential for new therapies.

Keywords:
Fatty acidsGestational diabetesPreeclampsiaPregnancyPreterm birth

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive biology
  • Nutritional science
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Long-chain fatty acids, specifically omega-3 and omega-6, are essential for maternal health and fetal development.
  • These fatty acids are crucial for placental transport, signaling molecule generation (e.g., eicosanoids), and nervous system development.
  • Imbalances in fatty acid levels and signaling pathways are associated with major pregnancy complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current literature on the role of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in normal and complicated pregnancies.
  • To examine the differences in fatty acid profiles and molecular regulation across maternal, placental, and fetal compartments.
  • To explore emerging fatty acid-based therapeutic strategies for pregnancy disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of scientific articles on fatty acids in pregnancy.
  • Analysis of maternal, placental, and fetal fatty acid concentrations and molecular regulation.
  • Evaluation of novel therapeutic approaches targeting fatty acid metabolism.

Main Results:

  • Fatty acids are critical for fetal growth, nervous system development, and overall pregnancy progression.
  • Altered fatty acid metabolism and signaling are implicated in gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and preterm birth.
  • Significant differences exist in fatty acid composition and regulation between maternal, placental, and fetal systems.

Conclusions:

  • Fatty acids play a multifaceted role in both healthy and pathological pregnancies.
  • Understanding fatty acid dynamics offers insights into the mechanisms underlying pregnancy complications.
  • Novel fatty acid-based therapies show promise as adjuncts or alternatives to conventional treatments for pregnancy disorders.