Ontogeny of sex-related differences in foetal developmental features, lipid availability and fatty acid composition

Sex-related differences in lipid availability and fatty acid composition during swine foetal development were investigated. Plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in the mother were strongly related to the adequacy or inadequacy of foetal development and concomitant activation of protective growth in some organs (brain, heart, liver and spleen). Cholesterol and triglyceride availability was similar in male and female offspring, but female foetuses showed evidence of higher placental transfer of essential fatty acids and synthesis of non-essential fatty acids in muscle and liver. These sex-related differences affected primarily the neutral lipid fraction (triglycerides), which may lead to sex-related postnatal differences in energy partitioning. These results illustrate the strong influence of the maternal lipid profile on foetal development and homeorhesis, and they confirm and extend previous reports that female offspring show better adaptive responses to maternal malnutrition than male offspring. These findings may help guide dietary interventions to ensure adequate fatty acid availability for postnatal development.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: García-Contreras, C., Vázquez-Gómez, M., Astiz Blanco, Susana María, Torres-Rovira, L., Sánchez Sánchez, Raúl, Gómez Fidalgo, Ernesto, Gonzalez, J., Isabel, B., Rey, A., Óvilo Martín, Cristina, González De Bulnes, Antonio
Format: artículo biblioteca
Language:English
Published: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute 2017
Subjects:Fatty-acids, Foetus, Lipids, Metabolism, Nutrition, Sex,
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12792/1584
http://hdl.handle.net/10261/289563
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Summary:Sex-related differences in lipid availability and fatty acid composition during swine foetal development were investigated. Plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in the mother were strongly related to the adequacy or inadequacy of foetal development and concomitant activation of protective growth in some organs (brain, heart, liver and spleen). Cholesterol and triglyceride availability was similar in male and female offspring, but female foetuses showed evidence of higher placental transfer of essential fatty acids and synthesis of non-essential fatty acids in muscle and liver. These sex-related differences affected primarily the neutral lipid fraction (triglycerides), which may lead to sex-related postnatal differences in energy partitioning. These results illustrate the strong influence of the maternal lipid profile on foetal development and homeorhesis, and they confirm and extend previous reports that female offspring show better adaptive responses to maternal malnutrition than male offspring. These findings may help guide dietary interventions to ensure adequate fatty acid availability for postnatal development.