Assimilation of 14C-Linoleic Acid by the Rat Fetus

Abstract

Following ingestion, by the 20-day pregnant mother, of (1-¹⁴C)linoleic acid, the retention and distribution of ‘⁴C are determined in the fetus, placenta and mother, after 1, 3 and 6 h. Comparison of the specific activities of linoleic and arachidonic acids in the maternal plasma, liver and placenta, and the fetal plasma, liver and carcass leads to the conclusion of a selective materno-fetal transfer of arachidonic acid, relative to linoleic acid, through the placenta.