Low omega-3 index values and monounsaturated fatty acid levels in early pregnancy: an analysis of maternal erythrocytes fatty acids

Abstract Background It is unanimously recognized that the maternal nutritional status at the pregnancy onset influence both short-term and long-term health of the mother and offspring. Among several nutrients, LCPUFA, particularly from the omega-3 family, are of utmost importance. This study was carried out to determine fatty acids profile of maternal erythrocyte membranes in early pregnancy and to identify potential determinants impacting on this status. Methods A cohort of 122 healthy women with a singleton pregnancy was included. Fatty acids were analyzed using gas chromatography. Because of the lack of cutoff values, reference ranges were used to determine fatty acids categories. Results Of concern, our data revealed low monounsaturated and long-chain omega-3 fatty acid status in most participants. More than 75% of Belgian pregnant women exhibited Pal, AO and EPA levels as well as IOM3 values below the laboratory reference ranges. Higher DHA concentrations and IOM3 values were found among foreign-nationality participants, non-smokers and physically active women. With regard to dietary factors, omega-3 supplements and diet seem to be complementary since DHA from supplements (but not from diet) and EPA from diet (but not from supplements) were found to be associated with higher concentrations of DHA and EPA, respectively. Conclusions Our study presents evidence demonstrating that the fatty acid status of most early pregnant women is far from being optimal based on the admitted general reference values. Clinicians should be advice to carefully evaluate and improve this status to guarantee the best possible outcome for both the mother and the baby

Transposición ovárica laparoscópica y criopreservación de tejido ovárico

Pelvic radiotherapy is frequently used to treat pelvic tumors in premenopausal women. It has already been stated that a dose of 5-20 Gy administered to the ovary is sufficient to completely impair gonadal function, whatever the age of the patient. Iatrogenic destruction of the follicular reserve by radiation therapy may be avoided by ovarian transposition into the pelvic gutter. Ovarian transposition performed by laparotomy was first described by McCall and colleagues in 1958 in patients treated for cervical carcinoma. Nowadays, ovarian suspension is laparoscopically performed before irradiation. However, it has also been demonstrated that, even if ovarian transposition is performed, it cannot be considered completely safe because patients receive infradiaphragmatic irradiation and, in many cases, there is an association between radiation and chemotherapy. For women who are to receive chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, not only ovarian transposition but also cryopreservation of the ovarian tissue should be proposed, even if in vitro maturation of oocytes has not yet been proved to be routinely efficacious after cryopreservation. All the patients need to be informed of the long-term consequences of cancer and its therapy even if not all treatment causes infertility