High oleic/stearic fatty acid desaturation index in cord plasma from infants of mothers with gestational diabetes

OBJECTIVE: Enhanced fatty acid desaturation by stearoyl-CoA desaturase enzyme-1 (SCD1) is associated with obesity. This study determined desaturation in cord plasma of newborns of mothers with and without gestational diabetes (GDM). STUDY DESIGN: Newborns of mothers with GDM (n=21) and without (Control, n=22) were recruited. Cord plasma fatty acid desaturation indices (palmitoleic/palmitic, oleic/stearic ratios) were compared, and correlated with anthropometrics and biochemical measures. A subset of VLDL desaturation indices were determined to approximate liver SCD1 activity. RESULTS: The total oleic/stearic index was higher in GDM, despite adjustment for cord glucose concentrations. Among GDM and Controls, the oleic/stearic index correlated with cord glucose concentrations (r(s)=0.36, p=0.02). Both palmitoleic/palmitic and oleic/stearic indices correlated with waist circumference (r=0.47, p=0.001; r=0.37, p=0.01). The VLDL oleic/stearic index was higher in GDM. CONCLUSION: The elevated total oleic/stearic index suggests increased lipogenesis in GDM newborns. Factors in addition to glucose supply may influence fetal SCD1 activity.