Objectives: To assess the effect of flaxseed on rat milk creamatocrit and its contribution to offspring weight gain during lactation. Methods:The study was conducted with 22 Lister Hooded rats divided into two groups: Control Group (CG, n = 11), which received a casein-based diet with 17% protein, and Flaxseed Group (FG, n = 11), which received a 25% flaxseed diet supplemented with 14% casein, totaling 17% protein. Food consumption was controlled per individual cage and litter size. Maternal milk creamatocrit and offspring weight variation until weaning age were also evaluated. ResumoObjetivos: Avaliar o efeito da semente de linhaça no crematócrito do leite de ratas e crescimento corporal dos filhotes durante a lactação.Métodos: Utilizou-se 22 ratas Lister Hooded divididas em dois grupos: controle (GC, n = 11), que recebeu ração caseína com 17% de proteína; e linhaça (GL, n = 11), que recebeu ração com 25% de linhaça acrescida de 14% de caseína, totalizando 17% de proteína. Controlou-se o consumo de ração das ratas por gaiola individual, número de crias, e avaliou-se o crematócrito do leite materno e variação ponderal dos filhotes até idade de desmame.Resultados: O GL foi semelhante ao GC no consumo de ração das ratas (GL = 76,46±31,87 g; GC = 76,7±33,36 g; p = 0,9613) e equivalente ao GC no número de crias (GL = 4,94±2,34; GC = 5,5±3,19; p = 0,435). O mesmo foi verificado no teor de gordura do leite materno (GL = 18,4±4,76; GC = 15,3±6,03; p = 0,204) e valor energético total (GL = 212,92±46,4; GC = 181,1±60; p = 0,1964). O GL assemelhou-se ao GC tanto no peso corporal dos filhotes ao desmame (GL = 37±6,96 g; GC = 2,6±7,5 g; p = 0,1817) quanto na evolução ponderal (GL = 31,8±7,0 g; GC = 27,7±7,5 g; p = 0,2104).Conclusão: Um total de 25% de linhaça promoveu um crescimento adequado aos filhotes. J Pediatr (Rio J). 2012;88(1):74-8:Linhaça, caseína, rato, crematócrito, ômega-3, crescimento corporal. Effects of flaxseed on rat milk creamatocrit and its contribution to offspring body growth IntroduçãoDurante a gravidez, as necessidades maternas placentá-rias e fetais para os ácidos graxos poliinsaturados de cadeia longa (long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids) são elevadas. Sendo assim, uma dieta materna com aporte adequado desses lipídios durante o período gestacional e de lactação é de extrema importância, principalmente os da série ômega-3, em especial o ácido docosa-hexaenóico (DHA), já que a maior necessidade desse lipídio acontece durante a vida intraute-

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These data suggest that the use of both flaxseed flour and its oil reduces the remodeling of the aorta; however; it has not been possible to modify the cardiovascular biochemical parameters.

Nutritional recommendations have promoted the increased need to consume n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Flaxseed is the richest dietary source of n-3 fatty acids among plant sources and is widely used for its edible oil. This study aimed to investigate whether maternal use of flaxseed oil has effects on pancreas morphology in the female offspring of diabetic mothers. Female Wistar rats (n = 12) were induced into diabetes by a high-fat diet and low dose of streptozotocin. After confirmation of the diabetes, rats were mated, and once pregnancy was confirmed, they were allocated into three groups (n = 6): high-fat group (HG); flaxseed oil group (FOG); and control group (CG) (non-diabetic rats). At weaning, female offspring (n = 6/group) received standard chow diet. The animals were euthanized at 180 days. Pancreas was collected for histomorphometric and immunohistochemistry analysis. HG showed hypertrophy of pancreatic islets (P < 0.0001), whereas FOG offspring had islets with smaller diameters compared to HG (P < 0.0001). HG offspring showed higher percentage of larger (P = 0.0061) and lower percentage of smaller islets (P = 0.0036). HG showed lower islet insulin immunodensity at 180 days (P < 0.0001), whereas FOG was similar to CG (P < 0.0001). Flaxseed oil reduced the damage caused by maternal hyperglycaemia, promoting normal pancreas histomorphometry and β-cell mass in female offspring.

Purpose The purpose of this review of the literature is to provide data about flaxseed intake during pregnancy and/or lactation and its effects in the offspring from birth to adulthood. Design/methodology/approach This review includes up-to-date information from evidence-based sources on flaxseed intake and its by-products, during pregnancy and lactation and its effects on male and female offspring, from post-weaning until adulthood. Topics included are effects on body mass; glycaemic metabolism; lipid profile; blood pressure and aortic structure; reproductive system and brain tissue. Findings The main effects of flaxseed or its by-products were observed in the cardiovascular system, where a lipid profile improvement and minor aortic remodelling were noticed, and in the cerebral development, where greater n-3 PUFA incorporation in the brain was detected. Originality/value The research done in this study, to understand the offspring response that were early exposed to the flaxseed components during pregnancy and lactation, may be the first step toward guiding future strategies for recommending the use of this seed during the offspring’s perinatal period.