Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Rat Maternal Milk, Offspring Brain and Peripheral Tissues in Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency

Abstract

Fatty acid status in humans is usually related to plasma or red blood cell fatty acid profiles. The aim of the study was to explore whether a maternal deficiency in dietary essential fatty acids would differentially affect lipid fractions in several tissues of the offspring, including brain. Female Wistar rats were fed an essential fatty acid-deficient diet during 3 months before mating. The fatty acid composition of different lipid fractions was examined in maternal milk, and in plasma, red blood cells, liver, adipose tissue, cerebral cortex and hippocampus of the offspring using thin layer and capillary column gas chromatography. Lipid fractions from most tissues of deprived offspring showed a common fatty acid profile characterized by elevated 20:3 omega9/20:4 omega6 ratio, and decreased docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid. However, arachidonic acid was not affected in brain, even though 22:5 omega6 was increased in phospholipids of cerebral cortex and hippocampus. The present results demonstrate different degrees of resistance to essential fatty acid deficiency in lipid fractions and tissues. This suggests a priority distribution of arachidonic acid to preferential areas and shows that blood phospholipid fatty acids do not exactly reflect brain phospholipid status.

Maternal n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Enriched Diet Commands Fatty Acid Composition in Postnatal Brain and Protects from Neonatal Arterial Focal Stroke

“…During pregnancy, the placenta transports PUFA from the mother to the fetus [23] as the enzymes that metabolize PUFA are low before birth, thus, the fetus is fundamentally dependent on placental transfer of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids [24]. Neonatal plasma PUFA levels correlate with maternal plasma and breast milk concentrations in humans [2,25]. Consistently, the lipid compositions of our maternal diet regimens are mostly reflected in neonatal plasma and produce distinct and robust changes in lipid brain content.…”

“…The developing fetus is strongly dependent on nutrients from the mother, including polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and neonatal plasma PUFA levels correlate with maternal plasma and breast milk concentrations [1,2]. The brain is highly enriched in n-6 PUFA arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4 n-6) and n-3 PUFA docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3) [3], and the balance of n-3:n-6 PUFA is critical for brain development [4].…”

Fatty acid patterns early after premature birth, simultaneously analysed in mothers' food, breast milk and serum phospholipids of mothers and infants

“…Nevertheless, mead acid in cord blood was very high and indicated a relative deficiency, probably associated with the demands of the foetus during pregnancy [ 5 ]. High concentrations of mead acid in pregnancy have previously been observed [ 46 , 47 ]. In our group of mothers these concentrations decreased rapidly after birth, but increased later again in those mothers who continued breastfeeding.…”

Brain Docosahexaenoic Acid Status and Learning in Young Rats Submitted to Dietary Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Deficiency and Supplementation Limited to Lactation

“…The milk FA content of control and deficient milk was described previously (19). The LCPUFA supplement (Ordesa SL, Barcelona, Spain) composition was as follows: 16:0, 27%; 18:0, 13%; 18:1 n-9, 38%; 18:2 n-6, 19%; 20:4 n-6, 2%; and 22:6 n-3, 1%.…”

“…The gavage procedure in the three groups was started at day 8 of life to ensure newborn pups' survival. The daily amount of LCPUFA supplement was progressively increased according to a previous model (19).…”