Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) accretion in the placenta but not the fetus is matched by plasma unesterified DHA uptake rates in pregnant Long Evans rats

Concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid are reduced in maternal liver, adipose, and heart in rats fed high-fat diets without docosahexaenoic acid throughout pregnancy

“…An increase in DHA concentrations in maternal plasma has been observed previously [3,6,9,14,15,35]. We also confirm a recent report that the DHA increase occurs largely in late and not early pregnancy, where it was demonstrated that DHA was specifically increased into palmitoyldocosahexaenoyl phosphatidylcholine for incorporation into lipoproteins during pregnancy induced hyperlipidemia [6].…”

“…The DHA content of adipose was actually increased at day 20 in the TWD+ and chow diets suggesting that adipose may have been taking up DHA from plasma, rather than providing it. Previously it has been reported that DHA concentrations in periuterine decrease but that perirenal adipose do not change at 18 days of pregnancy [15]. We ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT…”

“…A N U S C R I P T 6 maternal tissues over time could be an adaptation to ensure that the fetus and infant have a stable supply of a minimal amount of DHA during critical periods of development regardless of dietary intake during pregnancy. Balance studies of rats fed diets without eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA show a net loss of DHA in adipose during pregnancy [15,24]. Maternal DHA status has also been linked to DHA levels in breast milk, and mobilization of DHA from maternal stores may be critical to support lactation [25].…”

“…Although de novo synthesis of DHA appears to be upregulated during pregnancy [8], the rate of DHA conversion from alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) in adults is generally considered to be less than 1% [13]. Evidence suggests DHA is mobilized from maternal liver and adipose depots during pregnancy and lactation [9,10,14,15]. It is possible that DHA could also be mobilized from other maternal tissues, particularly those demonstrated to be rich in DHA [16] to help meet fetal and infant tissue accretion requirements.…”

High Choline Intake during Pregnancy Reduces Characteristics of the Metabolic Syndrome in Male Wistar Rat Offspring Fed a High Fat But Not a Normal Fat Post-Weaning Diet

“…The gestational choline supplementation may have permanently altered choline utilization in the offspring resulting in an increase in phosphatidylcholine synthesis, a lipid species in which liver DHA is highly abundant, particularly during pregnancy [ 33 ]. DHA is required in abundance during pregnancy to support fetal growth and its synthesis and storage is increased during pregnancy in rats [ 14 , 34 ]. Furthermore, several reports in rodent and human studies have shown that combined maternal choline and DHA dietary intakes synergistically enhance DHA blood and tissue accretion by mothers and improves DHA placental transport and utilization by the developing fetus [ 35 ].…”