Fatty acid composition of near-term and beyond-term pig placenta.

The fatty acid composition of four major phospholipid classes of near-term and beyond-term pig placenta was investigated. In beyond-term pig placentas much lower levels of linoleic, dihomo-gamma-linolenic and arachidonic acids were observed, as compared to near-term organs. It is suggested that beyond-term pregnancy in the pig may be caused by a deficiency of prostaglandin precursors in the placenta.