The role of maternal triglycerides in the supply of lipids to the ovine fetus.

Maternal and fetal blood samples were obtained for up to 20 min after the injection of an emulsion of 14C-labelled glycerol tripalmitate into the circulation of pregnant ewes. No evidence was obtained for the direct transfer of intact triglycerides across the placenta. Results obtained suggest that there was a very rapid uptake of the triglyceride from the maternal circulation followed by hydrolysis and release of free fatty acids back into the maternal circulation.