Fatty acid composition of lipids in day 7-13 blastocysts, serum and uterine fluid of rabbits.

Purpose: The fatty acid composition of rabbit blastocysts, blood serum and uterine fluids were analyzed to study embryonic lipid metabolism.

Methods: Embryos were collected from Japanese white rabbits and fatty acids were analyzed by gas chromatograph.

Results: Total amount of fatty acids in blastocysts was higher than that in serum and uterine fluid. The amount of fatty acids in blastocysts markedly decreased during days 7-13 of pregnancy, and in serum had hovered, but in uterine fluid on day 13 was nine times higher than that on day 7 of pregnancy. Palmitic acid predominates in blastocysts, serum and uterine fluid during this period.

Conclusion: Palmitic acid is the most abundant fatty acid in the blastocysts, serum and uterine fluids of rabbit during days 7-13 of pregnancy.