Concentrations of tocopherols and carotenoids in maternal and cord blood plasma

Objectives: To determine the levers of tocopherols, retinol and carotenoids in maternal and umbilical cord blood plasma and to investigate the relatio nships between them. Design: Venous blood plasma concentrations of alpha, gamma and delta-tocoph erol, retinol, lutein, lycopene, zeaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin, alpha and beta-carotene were determined by HPLC in healthy pregnant women and in pair -matched umbilical cords. Plasma levels of triglycerides and cholesterol we re also measured. Subjects: Sixty-six women, between 10 and 20 weeks gestation, were recruite d randomly during their first antenatal appointment. From this group, 40 pa ir-matched umbilical cord blood samples were obtained. Results: Tocopherols, retinol, carotenoids and lipids were present in signi ficantly higher (P < 0.001) concentrations in maternal plasma than in cord plasma. There was a significant correlation (r = 0.45, P < 0.005) between m aternal and cord levels of gamma-tocopherol, but not of alpha-tocopherol, r etinol or carotenoids. Tocopherols and carotenoids were significantly corre lated with each other (P < 0.05) in maternal and cord plasma. Conclusions: Plasma levels of tocopherols, carotenoids and lipids are subst antially lower at birth than in adulthood. There is a clear relationship be tween gamma-tocopherol levels in maternal and cord plasma. The importance o f gamma-tocopherol in human nutrition should be further investigated. There are no significant relationships between plasma alpha-tocopherol and carot enoids in pregnant mothers and cords. More research is needed to elucidate the maternal-foetal transfer of tocopherols and carotenoids, and to examine the impact of maternal antioxidant nutrient status on neonatal antioxidant capacity. It is important to determine ifa low level of tocopherols and ca rotenoids at birth is a normal stage of human development or indicative of deficiency.