ABSTRACT
During intrauterine life, the human placenta plays a functional role in transferring long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) selectively from the maternal circulation to the fetus. Although the indispensible requirements of LCFAs for brain and retina development is well established, only recent have data highlighted their importance in early fetoplacental development. Recent data indicate the importance of LCFA in the process of early placentation. Angiogenesis is a critical step involving several other cellular processes in placentation. This chapter will highlight hitherto the unknown role of LCFAs on the growth and development of the placenta.
