Docosahexaenoic acid is selectively enriched in plasma phospholipids during pregnancy in Trinidadian women - Results of a pilot study

The fetal demand for docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA) has to be satisfied by the mother. We determined the fatty acids in maternal plasma non- esterified fatty acid ( NEFA), triacylglycerol ( TAG) and phosphatidylcholine ( PC), in a cross- sectional study of non- pregnant ( n = 10), pregnant ( n = 19), and postpartum ( n = 9) women. There were lipid class- dependent differences in plasma polyunsaturated fatty acid ( PUFA) concentrations between groups. During pregnancy, DHA was most highly enriched in PC, about 230%, with more modest enrichment for linoleic acid ( LA) and arachidonic acid ( AA), and no enrichment of alpha- linolenic acid ( alpha- LNA). There was relative enrichment of LA, AA and alpha- LNA in TAG, but not of DHA. There was no specific enrichment of any PUFA in the NEFA pool. These data accord with the suggestion that the enrichment of alpha- LNA in TAG and of DHA in phospholipids reflects hepatic regulation of n- 3 PUFA metabolism which potentially enhances the delivery of DHA to the placenta.