Blood fatty acid analysis reveals similar n-3 fatty acid composition in non-pregnant and pregnant women and their neonates in an Israeli pilot study

•Higher total plasma amount of SAT, MUFA and n-6 are the main FA differences in pregnant compared to non-pregnant women.•N-3 FA and n-3 PUFA percent distribution and n-3 index are similar in the blood of Israeli pregnant compared to non-pregnant women.•Plasma DHA levels of pregnant women and neonates are positively correlated whereas neonates present higher DHA levels and n-3 index, insinuating either an efficient mother-fetus FA transfer, an active fatty acid metabolism to PUFA in the fetus—or both.•N-3 index is lower in the blood of Israeli pregnant women than in other countries.•The different fishery resources and dietary habits in Israel compared to other countries call to establish the specific local needs for intake of FA during pregnancy. Maternal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is required during pregnancy to supply for normal fetal growth and development. This pilot study aimed to assess the unknown fatty acid (FA) composition in a cohort of non-pregnant and pregnant Israeli women at term and their offspring on a normal diet without n-3 FA supplementation. The fatty acid profile, analyzed using gas chromatography, showed significantly higher plasma monounsaturated (MUFA) and lower n-6 FA percent distribution with similar n-3 index, in pregnant compared to non-pregnant women. RBC exhibited significantly higher MUFA with similar n-3 index, in pregnant compared to non-pregnant women. N-3 FA significantly correlated between neonates’ plasma, with higher n-3 index, and pregnant women's DHA. Conclusion: DHA levels in non-pregnant and pregnant Israeli women at term were comparable and the DHA in pregnant women's plasma positively correlated with their neonate's level, suggesting an efficient mother-fetus FA transfer and/or fetal fatty acid metabolism to longer FA products.