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Related Experiment Videos

Essential fatty acids interconversion in the human fetal liver.

J Chambaz, D Ravel, M C Manier

    Biology of the Neonate
    |January 1, 1985
    PubMed
    Summary

    The human fetus receives arachidonic acid primarily via placental transfer, not synthesis. Fetal liver shows desaturase activity, but the placenta lacks it, indicating a crucial role for maternal supply.

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    Area of Science:

    • Biochemistry
    • Human fetal development
    • Nutritional science

    Background:

    • Arachidonic acid is essential for fetal growth and development.
    • The fetoplacental unit's role in supplying arachidonic acid is not fully understood.
    • Desaturase enzymes are key to fatty acid synthesis.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the fetoplacental unit's capacity for arachidonic acid synthesis.
    • To determine the activity of delta 5- and delta 6-desaturase in fetal liver and placenta.
    • To compare fatty acid levels in fetal and maternal circulation.

    Main Methods:

    • Microsomal preparations from human fetal liver and placenta (18 and 22 weeks gestation).
    • Assay of delta 5- and delta 6-desaturase activities.

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  • Measurement of arachidonic acid and linoleic acid concentrations in fetal and maternal serum.

    • Main Results:

    • Delta 5- and delta 6-desaturase activities were detected in fetal liver microsomes for the first time.
    • Delta 6-desaturation was identified as the rate-limiting step in fetal arachidonic acid synthesis.
    • No desaturase activity was found in placental microsomes.
    • Fetal serum had higher arachidonic acid and lower linoleic acid than maternal serum.
    • Fetal liver microsomes showed low arachidonic acid content.

    Conclusions:

    • The human fetal liver possesses the enzymatic machinery for arachidonic acid synthesis.
    • The placenta does not contribute to fetal arachidonic acid synthesis via desaturase activity.
    • Arachidonic acid is preferentially transferred from mother to fetus across the placenta.