Changes of plasma fatty acid profile and antioxidant vitamins during normal pregnancy

Results: Maternal plasma cholesterol, triglycerides and free fatty acids increased from the 1 trimester of gestation to delivery, suggesting an enhanced lipolytic activity. Plasma alphaand gamma -tocopherols, and carotenoids also progressively increased with gestation, and values in cord plasma were lower than in mothers. Retinol levels declined with gestation and values in cord plasma were lower than in the mothers. The percentage of n-9 fatty acids remained stable during gestation, but slightly declined in cord plasma. Linoleic acid declined with gestation and further decreased in cord plasma, but arachadonic acid declined at the third trimester and at delivery and increased in cord plasma. The proportion of total n-3 fatty acids remained stable. The proportion of these n-3 fatty acids were similar in cord plasma and maternal plasma at delivery.