Changes in milk composition in obese rats consuming a high-fat diet

Abstract

Maternal obesity programmes offspring development. We addressed maternal obesity effects induced by high-fat diets on maternal mammary gland (MG) structure and function and offspring brain, liver and fat outcomes. Mothers were fed control (C, n 5) or obesogenic (MO, n 5) diet from the time they were weaned through pregnancy beginning at 120 d, through lactation. At offspring postnatal day (PND) 20, milk leptin and nutrients were determined. At the end of lactation, maternal liver and MG fatty acid profile were measured. Desaturase (Δ6D and Δ5D) and elongase (ELOVL 5 and ELOVL 2) protein was measured by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting (WB) in the liver and WB in the MG. In mothers, liver, MG and milk fat content were higher in MO than in C. Liver arachidonic acid (AA) and EPA and MG EPA were lower in MO than in C. Liver desaturases were higher in MO. The MG was heavier in MO than in C, with decreased Δ5D expression in MO. Desaturases and elongases were immunolocalised in parenchymal cells of both groups. Milk yield, water, carbohydrate content, EPA and DHA were lower, whereas milk leptin and AA were higher in MO than in C. At PND 21 and 36, brain weight was less and fat depots were greater in MO offspring than in C. MO decreased male absolute brain weight but not female absolute brain weight. In conclusion, maternal obesity induced by an obesogenic diet negatively affects maternal liver and MG function with the production of significant changes in milk composition. Maternal obesity adversely affects offspring metabolism and development.

Effects of maternal high fat intake during pregnancy and lactation on total cholesterol and adipose tissue in neonatal rats

“…Confirming this hypothesis, studies have shown that the quality of maternal dietary lipids consumed during lactation is correlated to the nutritional profile secreted of milk (Bautista et al, 2016;Oosting et al, 2015). According to Purcell et al (2011), on the 10th day, the milk of rats fed with a high fat diet becomes more caloric and high in fat.…”

Serotonin Deficiency Rescues Lactation on Day 1 in Mice Fed a High Fat Diet

“…Maternal obesity is known to alter milk fatty acid composition, along with decreasing water and carbohydrate content in milk and increasing fat [44]. De novo fatty acid synthesis has been shown to be impaired by administration of a HFD in the mouse mammary gland through inhibition of acetyl-CoA carboxylase [34].…”

Both maternal and offspring Elovl2 genotypes determine systemic DHA levels in perinatal mice

“…Moreover, the same group observed an increased Elovl2 expression in adipose tissue within the first half of the lactation period (36), suggesting improved mobilization of DHA from internal sources. There are also reports regarding low levels of Elovl2 mRNA and protein in placenta and in mammary glands during lactation (35)(36)(37)(38). Several studies have implied that maternal DHA supplementation may rescue DHA depletion during pregnancy and lactation and lead to a successful supply of DHA to the offspring (30,(39)(40)(41)(42).…”