Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) are important components of brain phospholipds and play important role (s) in brain function. In rats, the maximum brain growth occurs during the period of lactation even though it happens during the third trimester of gestation in human. Since milk contained docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) even through the maternal diet had no DHA and/or a very small amount of its precursor, $alpha$-linolenic acid ($alpha$-LnA), an emphasis was given to maternal adipose tissue as a reservoir of this fatty acid. We, therefore, investigated the mesenteric and subcutaneous adipose tissues for their fatty acid composition in dams reared with different fat diets. Diets containing various amounts of $omega$6 and $omega$3 fatty acids were given to adult female rats (200-250g) throughout the pregnancy and lactation periods. Diets were composed of 10% (wt/wt) corn oil (CO), soybean oil (SO), perilla seed oil (PO) containing about 60% $alpha$-LnA, or fish oil (FO) rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA. The fatty acid ompositions of mesenteric and subcutaneous fat were measured and evaluated at Day-2 and Day-15 after parturition. In general, major characteristics of dietary fatty acid composition was reflected on the fatty acid composition of adipose tissues. Dietary fatty acid composition was reflected more on mesenteric fat as compared to subcutaneous fat. Mesenteric fat was found to contain less arachidonic acid (AA) and mesenteric fats of CO, SO and PO groups contained less DHA than did the subcutaneous fat. The P/M/S ratios of adipose tissues were similar between experimental groups while dietary P/M/S ratios differed significantly. It was noticeable that a small proportion of DHA was found in the adipose tissues of animals of CO, SO and PO groups (Day-2) and in SO and PO groups (Day-15), the groups which do not contain DHA in their diets. The percentage of DHA in mesenteric fat o CO, SO and PO groups decreased as lactation continues, while the proportion of DHA in FO group increased. Adipose tissues of FO group had higher DHA/EPA ratio as compared to the diet. Considering the fact that the body contains a large amount of adipose tissues, our present finding suggests that the adipose tissue can serve as a reservoir of DHA for pregnant and lactating rats.