Effect of Lipid Loading on Fetal Uptake of Free Fatty Acids, Glycerol, and β-Hydroxybutyrate

Abstract

The possibility of influencing the fetal uptake of free fatty acids (FFA), β-hydroxybutyrate (β-OH), and glycerol was demonstrated by enhancing the maternal blood level of these substances by means of 10% intralipid infusions to the mothers during delivery. The FFA uptake, which was not significant in fetuses of control mothers, became positive in fetuses born after maternal infusion with intralipid. The uptake of β-OH and glycerol, which were positive in normal conditions, increased in fetuses from intralipid-infused mothers. These studies demonstrate that, after intralipid infusions to the mothers, the fetal FFA uptake could be correlated with the FFA concentration difference between maternal arterial, and fetal umbilical arterial blood. Since the fetal uptake of FFA subsequent to intralipid infusions is not negligible, we consider the possibility that lipid infusions to the mothers could be an approach to the treatment of the fetus with poor intrauterine growth.

Utero-Placental Transfer of Octanoic, Palmitic and Linoleic Acids during Late Gestation in Gilts

“…We were unable to detect any FFA arteriovenous concentration difference in the fetal pig. The total concentration of FFA in the fetal plasma was considerably lower than that in the maternal plasma (only 40%), which is in agreement with measurements with fetal and maternal plasmas of several other species, including humans (Rubaltelli et al, 1978), monkeys (Portman et al, 1969), guinea-pigs (Hershfield and Nemeth, 1968) and sheep . The reported profile of fatty acids in maternal and fetal plasma are in general agreement with these of Leat (1965).…”

“…Plasma FFA can cross the placenta from mother to fetus in a number of animals, including rats (Hummel et al, 1975;Pascaud et al, 1977), guinea-pigs (Hershfleld andNemeth, 1969), rabbits (Van Duyne et al, 1962;Elphick et al, 1978Elphick et al, , 1979Hudson et al, 1977) and monkeys (Portman et al, 1969). There also is evidence that the human placenta is permeable to FFA (Rubaltelli et al, 1978;Hull and Elphick, 1979). Our experiments have shown that single injections of labeled linoleic, palmitic or octanoic acids of high specific activity into the gilt during late gestation result in only trivial amounts of radioactivity being detected in fetal plasma lipids.…”

“…Comparative measurements of maternal and fetal plasma of humans, guinea-pigs, monkeys, rabbits and sheep have shown that the total concentration of free fatty acid (FFA) in fetal plasma is much lower than ~ that in maternal plasma (Hershfield and Nemeth, 1968;Portman et al, 1969;Elphick et al, 1978Elphick et al, , 1979Rubaltelli et al, 1978). These large differences suggest that the placenta is not freely permeable to the passage of FFA.…”

Intrauterine Growth Retardation: Pathophysiology and Possibilities for Intrauterine Treatment

“…Such application points out the possibility of treating the mother in a state of adequate nutritional status maternally with hyperalimentation in an attempt to supple ment the inadequately supplied fetus via the maternal circulation. Rubatelli et al [80] found that following parenteral intralipid in fusions in mothers, fetal uptake and serum levels of free fatty acids, glycerol and phydroxybutyrate increased. Pitkin and Rey nolds [81] proposed another approach by observing that protein in amniotic fluid is swallowed, undergoes proteolysis in the fetal alimentary tract, and amino acids are re leased, which would then be available for fetal use.…”

Effect of the Frequency of Feeding Pregnant Sows on Carcass Composition and Thermostability of the Neonatal Pig

“…Low body energy reserves at birth, rapidly utilized in the neonatal pig, were identified as a major metabolic defect (Mersmann 1974 (Silver et al 1973) and rabbits (Elphick et al 1975). Recently, an intravenous infusion of lipid to the mother during delivery has increased the levels of FFA in human babies (Rubaltelli et al 1978 Smith (1975 by Atinmo et al (1974). Randall and L'Ecuyer (1976) (Silver et al 1973) (Edson et al 1975) and direct incorporation of maternal FFA into the lipid of the fetus has since been demonstrated (Hudson et al 19'77 (Seerley et al 1914).…”