CONTEXT: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an important fatty acid required for neurological development but its importance during early fetal neurological organogenesis is unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess plasma fatty acid changes in early pregnancy in women undergoing natural cycle-frozen embryo transfer as a means of achieving accurately timed periconceptual sampling. DESIGN: Women undergoing frozen embryo transfer were recruited and serial fasting blood samples were taken pre-luteinizing hormone (LH) surge, and at 18, 29, and 45 d post-LH surge and fatty acids were analyzed using gas chromatography. SETTING: This study took place at the Assisted Conception Unit, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Scotland. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Plasma fatty acid concentrations and influence of twin pregnancies on DHA plasma concentration were measured. RESULTS: In pregnant women, there was a rapid, early increase in the maternal rate of change of plasma DHA concentration observed by 29 d post-LH surge (mean ± SD, from 0.1 ± 1.3 to 1.6 ± 2.9 nmol DHA per mL plasma per day). This early pressure to increase plasma DHA concentration was further emphasized in twin pregnancies where the increase in DHA concentration over 45 d was 2-fold higher than in singleton pregnancies (mean ± SD increase, 74 ± 39 nmol/mL vs 36 ± 40 nmol/mL). An index of delta-6 desaturase activity increased 30% and positively correlated with the rate of change of DHA concentration between 18 and 29 d post-LH surge (R2 adjusted = 41%; P = .0002). DHA was the only fatty acid with a continual accelerated increase in plasma concentration and a positive incremental area under the curve (mean ± SD, 632 ± 911 nmol/mL × d) during the first 45 d of gestation. CONCLUSIONS: An increase in maternal plasma DHA concentration is initiated in human pregnancy prior to neural tube closure which occurs at 28 d gestation.
CONTEXT: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an important fatty acid required for neurological development but its importance during early fetal neurological organogenesis is unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess plasma fatty acid changes in early pregnancy in women undergoing natural cycle-frozen embryo transfer as a means of achieving accurately timed periconceptual sampling. DESIGN:Women undergoing frozen embryo transfer were recruited and serial fasting blood samples were taken pre-luteinizing hormone (LH) surge, and at 18, 29, and 45 d post-LH surge and fatty acids were analyzed using gas chromatography. SETTING: This study took place at the Assisted Conception Unit, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Scotland. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Plasma fatty acid concentrations and influence of twin pregnancies on DHA plasma concentration were measured. RESULTS: In pregnant women, there was a rapid, early increase in the maternal rate of change of plasma DHA concentration observed by 29 d post-LH surge (mean ± SD, from 0.1 ± 1.3 to 1.6 ± 2.9 nmol DHA per mL plasma per day). This early pressure to increase plasma DHA concentration was further emphasized in twin pregnancies where the increase in DHA concentration over 45 d was 2-fold higher than in singleton pregnancies (mean ± SD increase, 74 ± 39 nmol/mL vs 36 ± 40 nmol/mL). An index of delta-6 desaturase activity increased 30% and positively correlated with the rate of change of DHA concentration between 18 and 29 d post-LH surge (R2 adjusted = 41%; P = .0002). DHA was the only fatty acid with a continual accelerated increase in plasma concentration and a positive incremental area under the curve (mean ± SD, 632 ± 911 nmol/mL × d) during the first 45 d of gestation. CONCLUSIONS: An increase in maternal plasma DHA concentration is initiated in human pregnancy prior to neural tube closure which occurs at 28 d gestation.
Authors: Sarah R Crozier; Charlene M Sibbons; Helena L Fisk; Keith M Godfrey; Philip C Calder; Catharine R Gale; Sian M Robinson; Hazel M Inskip; Janis Baird; Nicholas C Harvey; Cyrus Cooper; Graham C Burdge Journal: Br J Nutr Date: 2018-05-08 Impact factor: 3.718
Authors: Anna M Pauter; Sofia Trattner; Amanda Gonzalez-Bengtsson; Emanuela Talamonti; Abolfazl Asadi; Olga Dethlefsen; Anders Jacobsson Journal: J Lipid Res Date: 2016-11-18 Impact factor: 5.922
Authors: Vitor Jacó Antraco; Bruna Kelly Sousa Hirata; Jussara de Jesus Simão; Maysa Mariana Cruz; Viviane Simões da Silva; Roberta Dourado Cavalcante da Cunha de Sá; Fernanda Miranda Abdala; Lucia Armelin-Correa; Maria Isabel Cardoso Alonso-Vale Journal: Nutrients Date: 2021-02-15 Impact factor: 5.717
Authors: Lauren A Roach; Mitchell K Byrne; Steven J Howard; Stuart J Johnstone; Marijka Batterham; Ian M R Wright; Anthony D Okely; Renate H M de Groot; Inge S M van der Wurff; Alison Jones; Barbara J Meyer Journal: Nutrients Date: 2021-01-13 Impact factor: 5.717