Total cholesterol (TC) high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), apolipoprotein A (Apo A) and apolipoprotein B (Apo B) were measured in 40 plasmas from term pregnant women at vaginal delivery. Blood samples were obtained simultaneously from the maternal vein, umbilical artery and umbilical vein. The mean values of lipids and apolipoproteins were significantly (P less than 0,0001) lower in umbilical vessels than in the mother. TC, HDL-C, TG and Apo B were significantly (P less than 0,0005) higher in umbilical vein than in umbilical artery. No significant differences in Apo B levels were found between umbilical vein and artery.