Lipid synthesis in vivo by tissues of the maternal and foetal guinea pig.

The rate of lipid biosynthesis in vivo was determined in pregnant guinea pigs after maternal and foetal injections of 3H2O. Synthesis in the maternal tissues was low and in the foetal liver and adipose tissues relatively high. In the foetal liver it reached a peak at about two-thirds of gestation, whereas that in the foetal adipose tissue occurred later. These results were used to support the view that lipid synthesis in the foetal guinea-pig liver at two-thirds of gestation is largely from short-chain fatty acids, whereas in foetal adipose tissue glucose is probably the major substrate.