Maternal intake of flaxseed-based diet ( Linum usitatissimum ) on hippocampus fatty acid profile: Implications for growth, locomotor activity and spatial memory

• Published in: Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.) Los Angeles County, Calif.), 2011-10, Vol.27 (10), p.1040-1047
• Main Authors: Fernandes, Flavia Spreafico, M.S, de Souza, Amanda Santos, M.S, do Carmo, Maria das Graças Tavares, Ph.D, Boaventura, Gilson Teles, Ph.D
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Arachidonic acid; Arachidonic Acid - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Body Weight; Central nervous system; Cognitive ability; Diet; Dietary Fats - metabolism; Docosahexaenoic Acids - metabolism; Fatty acids; Fatty Acids - blood; Fatty Acids - pharmacology; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Female; Flax - chemistry; Flaxseed; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Growth - drug effects; Growth Disorders - etiology; Growth Disorders - metabolism; Hippocampus - drug effects; Hippocampus - growth & development; Hippocampus - physiology; Hippocampus fatty acids; Lactation; Linseed Oil - pharmacology; Linum usitatissimum; Lipids; Locomotor activity; Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Maze Learning; Memory - drug effects; Morris water maze; Motor Activity - drug effects; Neurodevelopment; Offspring; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Proteins; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Rodents; Seeds; Spatial memory; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
• ISSN: 0899-9007; 1873-1244
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2010.11.001

Abstract Objective To investigate flaxseed as a partial source of protein and an exclusive source of lipids and fibers in the development of the central nervous system by analyzing hippocampal fatty acid composition and cognitive and locomotor functions. Methods Experimental diets were given to dams during preconception, pregnancy, and lactation and to their pups after weaning. Female Wistar rats were separated into three groups according to experimental diet: a control group (CG) and a flaxseed group (FG), fed ad libitum diets, and a modified control group (MCG), pair-fed with the FG. After weaning, the pups received their mothers’ diets. After 30 d, eight males from each group were tested in a Morris water maze to assess learning, memory, and motor function. Results The offspring of FG dams showed a lower body mass than CG dams, probably due to non-nutritional factors and an imbalance between ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids of the seed, and displayed a higher concentration of α-linolenic acid, possibly suggesting inhibition of arachidonic acid synthesis. The content of docosahexaenoic acid in the hippocampus was higher in the FG followed by the MCG compared with the CG. Hippocampal docosahexaenoic acid content correlated with better spatial memory performance in the FG, whereas arachidonic acid content correlated with longer time in solving the task. Conclusion Flaxseed during perinatal and postweaning periods improves spatial memory to the detriment of growth. These findings indicate that there must be caution in encouraging the maternal intake of flaxseed during pregnancy and lactation.