Fetal to maternal transfer of palmitic and linoleic acids across the sheep placenta

Maternal and fetal blood samples were obtained at 2.5, 10 and 20 min after the injection of 3H-palmitic acid and 14C-linoleic acid into the fetal circulation of pregnant ewes. 3H-palmitic acid was easily detected in the maternal circulation within 2.5 min after its injection into the fetus resulting in an appreciable accumulation in the maternal plasma by the 20th min after injection. In contrast the presence of 14C-linoleic acid in the maternal circulation was barely detectable over the 20-min sampling period. The concentrations of total lipid and unesterified fatty acids within the fetal plasma were considerably lower than in the maternal plasma thereby providing an adverse concentration gradient for the passage of fatty acids between fetus and mother. The differential permeability of the placenta to the passage of the 3H-palmitic acid and 14C-linoleic acid is discussed in relation to their passage from fetus to mother in non-ruminant species and the adverse essential fatty acid status known to exist in the developing ruminant fetus.