title: Sensitivity of fetus and pups to excess levels of maternal intakes of alpha linolenic acid at marginal protein levels in Wistar rats.
abstract: There is growing interest in the role omega 3 fatty acids (n3), in promoting fetal growth. Present study examined whether alpha linolenic acid, primary vegetarian dietary omega 3 fatty acid source and precursor to cellular membrane phospholipid eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, can improve birth outcome. Pregnant dams from three groups (seven in each) were fed: control diet (18% protein with 7% soybean oil, normal alpha linolenic acid), or two treatment diets at marginal protein level of 12%; one with 7% soybean oil (Treatment I, normal alpha linolenic acid), and other with 3% flax oil and 4% soybean oil (Treatment II, four times normal alpha linolenic acid) during gestation. There was a reduction in litter size and litter weight (p<0.05) at birth in the Treatment II group as compared to the Control group. Alpha linolenic acid (p<0.05), eicosapentaenoic acid (p<0.05) levels increased while arachidonic acid levels (p<0.05) reduced in gastric milk at birth and blood at end of lactation in Treatment II as compared to Treatment I group. Brain fatty acid levels showed reduction (p<0.05) only in docosahexaenoic acid levels in dams from Treatment I and Treatment II, at the end of lactation. Results suggest sensitivity of fetus and pups for excess levels of alpha linolenic acid 'in a diet at marginal protein level'.
authors.affiliation: Animal Science Division, Biometry and Nutrition Unit, Agharkar Research Institute, GG Agarkar Road, Pune, India. raoari@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Shobha Suryaprakasa
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Anvita Anand
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Kale
authors.forename: Sadhana Ramchandra
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.forename: Sahebarao Prabhu
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Mahadik
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000833:Animals, Suckling / Q000254:growth & development; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D001724:Birth Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development; D004032:Diet; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D007774:Lactation / Q000187:drug effects; D008043:Linseed Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008098:Litter Size / Q000187:drug effects; D018811:Maternal Exposure; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013024:Soybean Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis