Trans Fatty Acids in Human Milk in Latvia: Association with Dietary Habits during the Lactation Period

The human milk fatty acid, including trans fatty acid, composition is predominantly affected by the maternal diet. The aim of this research was to determine the trans fatty acid level in human milk among lactating women in Latvia, and to evaluate how maternal dietary habits affect the trans fatty acid composition of human milk. In total, 70 lactating women participated in this cross-sectional study. A 72-hour food diary and food frequency questionnaire were used to evaluate maternal dietary habits. Different trans fatty acids in human milk samples were determined using gas chromatography (Agilent 6890N, Agilent Technologies Incorporated, the United States). Overall, the dietary intake of trans fatty acids among the participants was 0.54 ± 0.79 g per day. The total trans fatty acid level in the human milk samples was 2.30% ± 0.60%. The composition of trans fatty acids found in human milk was associated with maternal dietary habits. Higher elaidic acid, vaccenic acid and total trans fatty acid levels in human milk were found among participants with a higher milk and dairy product intake. Meat and meat product intake were associated with a higher vaccenic acid and total trans fatty acid levels in human milk. A moderate association was also established between maternal trans fatty acid intake and the total trans fatty acid level in human milk. The obtained correlations indicate that maternal dietary habits during lactation can impact the composition of trans fatty acids found in human milk.

Intrauterine Transfer of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Mother–Infant Dyads as Analyzed at Time of Delivery

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential for fetal development, and intrauterine transfer is the only supply of PUFAs to the fetus. The prevailing theory of gestational nutrient transfer is that certain nutrients (including PUFAs) may have prioritized transport across the placenta. Numerous studies have identified correlations between maternal and infant fatty acid concentrations; however, little is known about what role maternal PUFA status may play in differential intrauterine nutrient transfer. Twenty mother–infant dyads were enrolled at delivery for collection of maternal and umbilical cord blood, and placental tissue samples. Plasma concentrations of PUFAs were assessed using gas chromatography (GC-FID). Intrauterine transfer percentages for each fatty acid were calculated as follows: ((cord blood fatty acid level/maternal blood fatty acid level) x 100). Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to compare transfer percentages between maternal fatty acid tertile groups. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. There were statistically significant differences in intrauterine transfer percentages of arachidonic acid (AA) (64% vs. 65% vs. 45%, p = 0.02), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (41% vs. 19% vs. 17%, p = 0.03), and total fatty acids (TFA) (27% vs. 26% vs. 20%, p = 0.05) between maternal plasma fatty acid tertiles. Intrauterine transfer percentages of AA, EPA, and TFA were highest in the lowest tertile of respective maternal fatty acid concentration. These findings may indicate that fatty acid transfer to the fetus is prioritized during gestation even during periods of maternal nutritional inadequacy.

Blood hematology profile at postpartum in Ettawa grade does fed with different fatty acid flushing diets during the late gestation period and different litter sizes

Physiological stress occurs in does immediately after parturition. This study evaluated the blood hematology profile at postpartum in Ettawa grade does fed with different fatty acid flushing diets during the late gestation period and different litter sizes (LS). A total of 15 Ettawa grade does with a gestational age of 4 months were used in this study during the flushing period. The flushing ration was supplemented with a 2.8% fatty acid level in lauric acid (T1), α-linolenic acid (T2) and α-linolenic acid (T3). A factorial randomized complete design 3 x 2 in which the first factor was fatty acids and the second factor was litter sizes (LS1 and LS2) was used to measure blood hematology. Leukocyte level was higher in LS2 compared to LS1 (P<0.05), but it was not affected by fatty acids. Even though the lymphocyte level was highest in T3 and LS2 (P<0.05), it was still in the normal range. Monocyte and neutrophil were lower in T3 compared to T1 (P<0.05), but it was similar to T2. In conclusion, the results suggest that flushing in the late gestation period with supplementation of 2.8% α-linolenic acid improved the immune system at postpartum on the does giving birth to twins 2.