Neonatal dietary cholesterol and alleles of cholesterol 7-alpha hydroxylase affect piglet cerebrum weight, cholesterol concentration, and behavior.
This experiment was designed to test the effect of polymorphism in the cholesterol 7-alpha hydroxylase (CYP7) gene locus and dietary cholesterol (C) on cerebrum C in neonatal pigs fed sow's milk formulas. Thirty-six pigs (18 male and 18 female) genetically selected for high (HG) or low (LG) plasma total C were weaned at 24-36 h after birth and assigned in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments with 2 diets (0 or 0.5% C), 2 sexes, and 2 genotypes (HG and LG). Individually housed pigs consumed diets ad libitum for 42 d. Open-field behavior was tested at wk 2 and 4. All pigs were killed at 42 d of age, the cerebrum was weighed, and C content and concentration measured. All data were analyzed by general linear model ANOVA. Cerebrum weight was greater in HG than LG pigs (P < 0.03) but was not affected by diet or sex. Pigs fed C tended to have a higher cerebrum C concentration than those deprived (P = 0.12). At 2 wk, LG pigs explored a novel open-field environment less often (P < 0.001) than did HG pigs. At 4 wk, some LG pigs explored the open field but fewer (P < 0.001) vs. HG pigs retreated back to the safe area. There were no genotype x diet, genotype x sex, or diet x sex interactions affecting cerebrum weight, or C content or concentration. Polymorphism in the CYP7 gene locus affected cerebrum weight and behavior and dietary C tended to increase cerebrum C concentration in neonatal pigs. These findings in neonatal pigs have considerable potential importance in human infant nutrition and behavioral development.
Pond
Wilson G
WG
USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA. wgp3@cornell.edu
Mersmann
Harry J
HJ
Su
Dairong
D
McGlone
John J
JJ
Wheeler
Matthew B
MB
Smith
E O'Brian
EO
D000483:Alleles; D000821:Animal Feed; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D054022:Cerebrum / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D002790:Cholesterol 7-alpha-Hydroxylase / Q000235:genetics*; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D041941:Milk Substitutes; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D013552:Swine / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*
D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D002784:Cholesterol; D002790:Cholesterol 7-alpha-Hydroxylase