RELEASE OF LIPID FROM THE EQUINE PLACENTA DURING IN-VITRO INCUBATION

An in vitro incubation technique was used to examine release of lipids from the equine placenta. Placental tissue was obtained at term (n = 5, term = 320-365 days) and earlier in gestation (n = 8, mean = 266 da ys). Term placentae were incubated at two temperatures, 4 degrees C (c ontrol) and 37 degrees C for 2 h. Pre-term placentae were incubated at 37 degrees C with two different concentrations of fatty acid in the m edium. Tissues and media were analysed for their lipid concentrations. Term and pre-term placentae released free fatty acid (FFA) and phosph olipid into the incubation medium during incubation at 37 degrees C. L ong chain polyunsaturated fatty acids derived from the essential fatty acids were released into the media. The fatty acid profiles of the li pids released during incubation more closely resembled those of fetal plasma than maternal plasma lipids as measured in previous studies. Th ese data are consistent with the view that the equine placenta is a so urce of both FFA and phospholipid for the fetus and that the placenta may provide long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids for the fetal foal.