Effect of lipid loading on fetal uptake of free fatty acids, glycerol, and beta-hydroxybutyrate.

The possibility of influencing the fetal uptake of free fatty acids (FFA), beta-hydroxybutyrate (beta-OH), and glycerol was demonstrated by enhancing the maternal blood level of these substances by means of 10% intralipid infusions to the mothers during delivery. The FFA uptake, which was not significant in fetuses of control mothers, became positive in fetuses born after maternal infusion with intralipid. The uptake of beta-OH and glycerol, which were positive in normal conditions, increased in fetuses from intralipid-infused mothers. These studies demonstrate that, after intralipid infusions to the mothers, the fetal FFA uptake could be correlated with the FFA concentration difference between maternal arterial, and fetal umbilical arterial blood. Since the fetal uptake of FFA subsequent to intralipid infusions is not negligible, we consider the possibility that lipid infusions to the mothers could be an approach to the treatment of the fetus with poor intrauterine growth.