Maternal dairy fat diet does not influence neurotrophin levels and cognitive performance in the rat offspring at adult age

Abstract

Cognitive development may be influenced by maternal nutrition especially fats. Indian population is vegetarian and main source of fat is dairy. This study investigates the effect of dairy fat consumption during pregnancy in an animal model on fatty acids, brain neurotrophins (brain derived neurotrophic factor: BDNF; and nerve growth factor: NGF) and cognitive performance in adult offspring. Pregnant Wistar rats were assigned to control (Control C) and four treatment groups: High fat diet (HFD); High fat diet supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids (HFDO); High fat diet deficient in vitamin BHFBD); High fat deficient in vitamin B supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids (HFBDO). Half the dams were dissected on d20 of gestation, and the brains of their pups were collected. The remaining dams delivered on d22 of gestation and were assigned to a control diet. The cognitive performance of these adult offspring was assessed at 6 mo of age. Brain fatty acids were comparable to control in the pups at birth and offspring at 6 mo of age. The protein levels of BDNF in the pup brain at birth were lower in both the HFD (p < 0.01) and HFBD (p < 0.05) groups as compared to control. The mRNA levels of TrK B were lower (p < 0.05) in the pup brain at birth in the HFD as compared to control group. In the offspring at 6 mo of age the protein levels of BDNF and NGF in all the treatment groups were similar to that of control. However, the mRNA levels of only BDNF (p < 0.01 for both) were higher in the HFBD group as compared to both control and HFD groups. The cognitive performance of the adult offspring from various dietary groups was similar to control. In conclusion, consumption of a maternal high dairy fat diet although lowered the levels of brain BDNF in the pup at birth it does not affect the cognitive health of the adult offspring.

Cardiovascular risk and BDNF concentration in vegetarians in the city of Sao Paulo – SP

“…The BDNF plasma values found here are similar to the results of Karczewska-Kupczewska et al, 29 who evaluated a similar population in terms to age, BMI and gender distribution. Jawale et al, 53 evaluating the effect of milk fat consumption during pregnancy in an animal model, specifically in relation to fatty acid parameters, brain neurotrophins (brain-derived neurotrophic factor: BDNF; and nerve growth factor: NGF). ) and cognitive performance in adult offspring identified that adult offspring cognitive performance of various food groups (hyperlipid diet; high fat diet supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids; high fat diet, vitamin B12 deficient; high fat deficiency in vitamin B12 supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids) was similar to the control.…”

“…In conclusion, consumption of a high-fat dairy maternal diet, while reducing the levels of cerebral BDNF in the pup at birth, does not affect the cognitive health of adult offspring. 53 In the same direction, Perrin et al 54 evaluated the association between supplement use patterns and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) fatty acid concentrations in breast milk of women following vegan, vegetarian and omnivorous dietary patterns. and found that the breast milk of vegan women had significantly more unsaturated fats and total omega-3 fats, and fewer saturated fats, trans and omega-6 to omega-3 fats than omnivorous women, however, BDNF did not was detectable in any sample.…”