Human Fetal Erythrocyte and Plasma Lipids*

Abstract

The lipids of human cord blood erythrocytes and plasma have been analysed with respect to phospholipid distribution and phospholipid fatty acid composition. In both red cells and plasma there is relatively more sphingomyelin and less lecithin than in comparable adult material. Phosphatidyl ethanolamine is also probably lower in the fetal red cells. Both total phospholipid fatty acid composition and that of the separated phospholipid classes reveals lower amounts of linoleic and greater amounts of docosahexaenoic and lignoceric acids than in the adult cell. Other minor differences also exist. It is postulated that the lipid composition of the fetal and adult erythrocyte may contribute to their known differences in oxygen affinity.