Placental delivery of arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids: implications for the lipid nutrition of preterm infants

Abstract

Arachidonic (AA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids are major components of cell membranes and are of special importance to the brain and blood vessels. In utero, the placenta selectively and substantially extracts AA and DHA from the mother and enriches the fetal circulation. Studies indicate that there is little placental conversion of the parent essential fatty acids to AA and DHA. Similarly, analyses of desaturation and reductase activity have shown the placenta to be less functional than the maternal or fetal livers. There appears to be a correlation with placental size and plasma AA and DHA proportions in cord blood; therefore, placental development may be an important variable in determining nutrient transfer to the fetus and, hence, fetal growth itself. In preterm infants, both parenteral and enteral feeding methods are modeled on term breast milk. Consequently, there is a rapid decline of the plasma proportions of AA and DHA to one quarter or one third of the intrauterine amounts that would have been delivered by the placenta. Simultaneously, the proportion of linoleic acid, the precursor for AA, rises in the plasma phosphoglycerides 3-fold. An inadequate supply of AA and DHA during the period of high demand from rapid vascular and brain growth could lead to fragility, leakage, and membrane breakdown. Such breakdown would predictably be followed by peroxidation of free AA, vasoconstriction, inflammation, and ischemia with its biological sequelae. In the brain, cell death would be an extreme consequence.

n-3 Fatty acid intake from marine food products among Quebecers: comparison to worldwide recommendations

“…Since the fetus is unable to synthesise sufficient DHA for the development of its nervous system, it depends on the mother for DHA (13) . Preformed DHA is preferred for infants and is obtained prenatally via the placenta, postnatally from breast milk, fat stores, supplemented formula and, later, from foods (14,15) .…”

Expression of the Isochrysis C18-Δ9 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Specific Elongase Component Alters Arabidopsis Glycerolipid Profiles

“…The reduction in nonfatal and fatal cardiovascular events that is associated with the consumption of EPA and DHA may be due to the stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques (Thies et al, 2003). AA and DHA are considered to be important in pre-and postnatal development (Crawford, 2000; for review, see Lauritzen et al, 2001). Such VLCPUFAs are also precursors of the physiologically active prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes.…”

Prenatal PUFA undernutrition and risk of adult psychiatric disorders

“…The detailed mechanism of placental transport of n-3 and n-6 PUFAs have been shown elsewhere 10 . Prenatal PUFA undernutrition and its possible involvement with neuronal development Adequate PUFAs nutritions for pregnant mothers and infants is necessary for normal brain development, during prenatal development, adequate supplies are so essential that the placenta doubles the levels of nutrients circulating in maternal plasma 23 , and severe deficits may have permanent effects if they occur during critical periods of early development. Pregnancy and infancy are important periods for the formation of the brain, laying the foundation for the development of cognitive, motor, and socio-emotional skills throughout childhood and adulthood.…”