Differential Effects of n -3 and n -6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Placental and Embryonic Growth and Development in Diabetic Pregnant Mice

The present study aimed to investigate the differential effects of -3 and -6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on placental and embryonic development. Pregnant mice were assigned to five groups: healthy control (HC), diabetes mellitus control (DMC), diabetes + low-dose -3 PUFA (L -3), diabetes + high-dose -3 PUFA (H -3), and diabetes + -6 PUFA ( -6). On E12.5d, the H -3 group, but not the -6 group, had a higher placenta weight. The weight ratio of embryo to placenta in the -6 group was significantly lower than in the H -3 group but higher than in the DMC group. The H -3 group had significantly higher protein levels of VEGF, IGF-1, and IGFBP3, while the -6 group had lower VEGF than the DMC group. Compared with the DMC group, embryonic Cer-16:0 was significantly higher in the H -3 group, while embryonic PC (36:6), PC (38:7), and PE (40:7) were significantly lower in the -6 group. The embryo and placenta weights were positively correlated with placental VEGF, IGFBP3, and embryonic Cer-16:0, and they were negatively correlated with embryonic PC (36:6) and PE (40:7). The weight ratio of embryo to placenta was negatively correlated with embryonic PC (36:6). In addition, embryonic Cer-16:0 was positively correlated with placental VEGF and IGFBP3. In conclusion, -3 PUFA and -6 PUFA improved placental and embryonic growth through different mechanisms.