We wanted to determine whether alpha-tocopherol supplementation to pregnant rats could increase the concentration of alpha-tocopherol in maternal and fetal plasma and tissues. Pregnant rats were treated with alpha-tocopherol on days 18 and 19 gestation and studied at day 20. A control group was studied in parallel. Treatment of pregnant rats with alpha-tocopherol increased its concentration in maternal and fetal plasma, in all maternal plasma lipoprotein fractions, in maternal and fetal liver and in the placenta. The fetal and maternal concentration of alpha-tocopherol were positively correlated.