Neonatal fatty acid profiles are correlated with infant growth measures at 6 months.

Rapid weight gain in infancy and low levels of n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) at birth are associated with increased adiposity later in life. The association between placental LCPUFA delivery and weight gain in infancy is poorly understood. We sought to determine the relationships between maternal phenotype, placental fatty acid transporter expression and offspring growth patterns over the first 6 months. Placental tissue and cord blood were collected at term delivery from women with uncomplicated pregnancies. Offspring body composition measurements were recorded 1 day and 6 months after birth. Body mass index (BMI) z-scores were determined using World Health Organization 2006 reference data. Body phenotype patterns were compared among offspring who had an increase in BMI z-score and those who had a decrease. High skinfold thickness at birth and positive change in BMI z-scores during infancy were associated with low neonatal n-3 LCPUFA plasma levels (r=-0.46, P=0.046) and high saturated fatty acids levels (r=0.49, P=0.034). Growth of skinfolds over 6 months of age was associated with placental fatty acid transporter gene expression. Change in BMI z-score in the first 6 months of life correlated with arm muscle area growth, a measure of lean mass (r=0.62, P=0.003), but not with growth in skinfold thickness. Early infancy weight gain was associated with poor plasma LCPUFA status at birth, and fat deposition in infancy was related to changes in placental lipid handling. Thus, neonatal fatty acid profiles may influence the trajectory of infant growth and fat and lean mass deposition.

IFPA meeting 2016 workshop report I: Genomic communication, bioinformatics, trophoblast biology and transport systems.

Workshops are an important part of the IFPA annual meeting as they allow for discussion of specialized topics. At IFPA meeting 2016 there were twelve themed workshops, four of which are summarized in this report. These workshops covered innovative technologies applied to new and traditional areas of placental research: 1) genomic communication; 2) bioinformatics; 3) trophoblast biology and pathology; 4) placental transport systems.

IFPA meeting 2015 workshop report I: placental mitochondrial function, transport systems and epigenetics.

Workshops are an important part of the IFPA annual meeting as they allow for discussion of specialized topics. At IFPA meeting 2015 there were twelve themed workshops, three of which are summarized in this report. These workshops covered areas of placental regulation and nutrient handling: 1) placental epigenetics; 2) placental mitochondrial function; 3) placental transport systems.

Placental oleic acid uptake is lower in male offspring of obese women.

INTRODUCTION: The fetus is dependent on the placenta for its supply of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA), which are essential in fetal growth and development. Previous work suggests that high maternal body mass index (BMI) inhibits fetal LCPUFA delivery and males have greater fatty acid requirements than females during development. We hypothesized that male placental fatty acid uptake would be more sensitive to maternal BMI compared to females. METHODS: Term placental samples were collected from healthy women receiving Cesarean section (n = 38). Placental fatty acid transporter and binding protein gene expression and uptake of oleic acid (OA), arachidonic acid, (AA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA) were measured. Two-way ANOVA was used to assess the effects of fetal sex and maternal overweight/obesity (BMI >26 kg/m2). RESULTS: Placental fatty acid uptake of OA was 43% lower in male offspring and 73% higher in female offspring of obese compared to normal BMI women (P < 0.05). The interaction between fetal sex and maternal BMI had a significant effect on both OA (P = 0.002) and AA uptake (P = 0.01). DHA uptake was not affected by fetal sex or maternal obesity. Placental fatty acid transporter CD36 and binding protein FABP5 gene expression levels were lower in male offspring of obese mothers but were not affected by BMI among females. CONCLUSION: Maternal obesity and fetal sex significantly affect the placental uptake of oleate and arachidonate. Placental fatty acid uptake in both male and female fetuses is sensitive to maternal BMI, but males may have inadequate acquisition of the unsaturated fatty acid OA, when exposed to maternal obesity.