Assimilation of 14C-linoleic acid by the rat fetus.

Following ingestion, by the 20-day pregnant mother, of (1-14C)linoleic acid, the retention and distribution of 14C are determined in th 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.