Concentrations of tocopherols and carotenoids in maternal and cord blood plasma

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the levels of tocopherols, retinol and carotenoids in maternal and umbilical cord blood plasma and to investigate the relationships between them.

Design: Venous blood plasma concentrations of α, γ and δ-tocopherol, retinol, lutein, lycopene, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, α and β-carotene were determined by HPLC in healthy pregnant women and in pair-matched umbilical cords. Plasma levels of triglycerides and cholesterol were also measured.

Subjects: Sixty-six women, between 10 and 20 weeks gestation, were recruited randomly during their first antenatal appointment. From this group, 40 pair-matched umbilical cord blood samples were obtained.

Results: Tocopherols, retinol, carotenoids and lipids were present in significantly higher (P<0.001) concentrations in maternal plasma than in cord plasma. There was a significant correlation (r=0.45, P<0.005) between maternal and cord levels of γ-tocopherol, but not of α-tocopherol, retinol or carotenoids. Tocopherols and carotenoids were significantly correlated with each other (P<0.05) in maternal and cord plasma.

Conclusions: Plasma levels of tocopherols, carotenoids and lipids are substantially lower at birth than in adulthood. There is a clear relationship between γ-tocopherol levels in maternal and cord plasma. The importance of γ-tocopherol in human nutrition should be further investigated. There are no significant relationships between plasma α-tocopherol and carotenoids 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 if a low level of tocopherols and carotenoids at birth is a normal stage of human development or indicative of deficiency.

Sponsorship: University College Cork, Ireland.