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Although trans fatty acids are known to influence essential fatty acid (EFA) metabolism and serum levels of lipids and lipoproteins, little is known about their effects on the metabolism of mammary glands (MGs) during lactation. In this study, 5 groups of lactating Wistar rats were fed semisynthetic diets containing 7% soy oil (control); 7% partially hydrogenated vegetable oil (7% PHVO); 13% PHVO +7% soy oil (13% PHVO); 5% PHVO +2% soy oil (5% PHVO), and 3.5% PHVO +3.5% soy oil (3.5% PHVO). Dams were killed on the 12th day of lactation. Weight, lipid content (LC), in vivo lipogenesis rate (LR) and activity of the lipogenic (ATP-citrate lyase and malic) enzymes were evaluated in the MGs. Maternal food intake, weight gain, and total MG weight were not found to be significantly different between the groups. The groups with 13, 7 and 5% PHVO presented a lower (p < 0.05) LR in MGs when compared to controls, whereas MG LC was higher in the 7 and 13% groups than in controls. The observed decrease in MG lipogenesis was accompanied by a diminution (p < 0.05) in the activities of ATP-citrate lyase and malic enzymes. These data indicate a potential impairment of lipid metabolism in the MG by trans isomers in lactating rats.

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