More than 90 per cent of the fat deposition in the fetus occurs in the last 10 weeks of
pregnancy during which it increases exponentially to reach a rate of accretion of around
7g/day close to term. All of the n-3 andn-6 fatty acid structure acquired by the fetus has to
cross the placenta and fetal blood is enriched in long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids
(LCPUFA) relative to the maternal supply. The placenta may regulate its own fatty acid
substrate supply via the action of placental leptin on maternal adipose tissue. Fatty acids …