Longitudinal study of fatty acids in plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids during pregnancy

Aim: To assess the modifications of the main fatty acids (FA) in plasma and red blood cells during pregnancy. Methods: A longitudinal study of 36 normal pregnant women was carried out with 3 cut-off points: first trimester, second trimester and third trimester. 14 FA in plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids were measured using capillary gas chromatography, Measurements were expressed in percentages and in absolute values. Results: In plasma there was a significant increase in the proportion of saturated FA and a decrease in the proportion of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) both in the omega 6 (omega6) and omega 3 (omega3) series. On the other hand, in erythrocyte phospholipids there was a decrease in the proportion of eicosapentaenoic acid and an increase in that of docosahexaenoic acid. In the omega6 series, dihorno- gamma-linolenic acid increased, whereas the omega6 docosapentaenoic acid decreased. Conclusion: There was a significant decrease in the proportion of omega3 PUFA in plasma from the first to the third trimester. Thus, it is suggested that the omega3 PUFA intake during pregnancy should be increased in the last trimester.