In vitro “Lipid” Metabolism in the Developing Human Foetus

IT can be concluded from animal data that the human foetus synthesizes lipids, chiefly from carbohydrates1–3. We have measured the synthesis of fatty acids and sterols from acetate and citrate in human foetal tissue taken at various periods of gestation. The total lipid content of the organs and the ability of the 8 week placenta to take up palmitate and incorporate it into lipids was also determined.