Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-p9bg8 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-19T06:09:01.613Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français
Accepted manuscript

Fetal dependency on maternal fatty acids: a pilot study in human pregnancies using the natural abundance variation of 13C

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 December 2024

Manuela Simonato Open the ORCID record for Manuela Simonato [Opens in a new window] ,
Giovanna Verlato ,
Silvia Visentin ,
Erich Cosmi ,
Anna Sartori ,
Pieter Sauer ,
Alessio Correani ,
Paola Cogo  and
Virgilio Carnielli Open the ORCID record for Virgilio Carnielli [Opens in a new window]
Manuela Simonato*
Affiliation:
Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy Pediatric Research Institute “Citta’ della Speranza”, Critical Care Biology and PCare Laboratories, Padova, Italy
Giovanna Verlato
Affiliation:
Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
Silvia Visentin
Affiliation:
Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
Erich Cosmi
Affiliation:
Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
Anna Sartori
Affiliation:
Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
Pieter Sauer
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, University of Groningen, Beatrix Children’s Hospital/UMCG, Groningen, Netherlands.
Alessio Correani
Affiliation:
Department of Odontostomatologic and Specialized Clinical Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
Paola Cogo
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, Division of Pediatrics, S. Maria della Misericordia University Hospital, University of Udine, Udine, Italy.
Virgilio Carnielli
Affiliation:
Department of Odontostomatologic and Specialized Clinical Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy Division of Neonatology, Mother and Child Department, G. Salesi University Hospital, Ancona, Italy
*
Corresponding author: Manuela Simonato, Corso Stati Uniti, 4F, 35127 Padova, Italy. Telephone, +390498211477, Fax number, 0499640146. Email address: [email protected]
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

The extent of de-novo biosynthesis of non-essential fatty acids (FAs) and the endogenous biosynthesis of long chain polyunsaturated FAs in human fetuses remains largely unknown. We used natural variations in the 13C:12C (δ 13C) of plasma phospholipids of the woman at delivery and of cord blood to infer fetal biosynthesis of FAs. We studied 39 mother-fetus pairs with uncomplicated pregnancies and term delivery. Eighteen women were supplemented with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), from pregnancy week 20 until delivery, sourced from an algae (n=13) or fish oil (n=5), each with slightly different 13C content. Twenty-one women did not receive DHA supplementation. We measured the δ 13C value of selected phospholipid FAs (C16:0, C18:0, C18:1n-9, C18:2n-6, C20:4n-6, and C22:6n-3), in maternal and cord plasma samples at delivery using isotope ratio mass spectrometry.

We found significant linear correlations for δ 13C values of FAs between mothers and their fetuses (C16:0, r=0.8535; C18:0, r=0.9099; C18:1n-9, r=0.8079; C18:2n-6, r=0.9466; C20:4n-6, r=0.9257; and C22:6n-3, r=0.9706). Women supplemented with algal DHA had significantly lower DHA δ 13C values in their plasma phospholipids than those supplemented with fish DHA or those who did not receive DHA supplementation (p<0.001).

There was no significant difference in δ 13C values of FAs between women at delivery and their fetuses.

These findings strongly suggest that the human fetus is highly dependent on the placental transport of maternal plasma FAs, particularly DHA. The limited fetal biosynthesis of major FAs emphasizes the crucial role of maternal nutrition and placental well-being in fetal development.

Keywords

Carbon 13natural abundanceplacentafetal biosynthesisfatty acidsDHA
Type
Research Article
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Accepted manuscript , pp. 1 - 21
Copyright
© The Authors 2024