The clearance and placental transfer of free fatty acids and triglycerides in the pregnant guinea-pig.

Bolus injections of [14C]palmitic acid and endogenously prepared very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) were given to 12 guinea-pigs in late gestation in whom the fetal side of the placenta was perfused in situ. Disappearance of [14C] palmitate in the mother was rapid, with a half life of 2.4 min. The [14C] palmitic acid which crossed the placenta into the perfusate disappeared in parallel with the maternal label but with a delay time of 1.6 min. Following injection of [14C] labelled very low density lipoprotein maternal plasma [14C] triglyceride declined rapidly (half life of 0.7 to 9.8 min) and gave rise to [14C] free fatty acids in the plasma. These fatty acids disappeared at a slower rate (half life of 13.5 min) than found following [14C]palmitate bolus. No [14C] triglyceride appeared to cross the placenta, but triglyceride derived free fatty acids did with a delay time of 9.4 min. In experiments performed after 55 days gestation quantities of [14C] free fatty acids were higher in the perfusate than in maternal plasma implying hydrolysis of triglyceride within the placenta. It is concluded that maternal triglyceride may make a considerable contribution to fetal lipids which increases with gestational age.