Leptin levels in rat offspring are modified by the ratio of linoleic to alpha-linolenic acid in the maternal diet
Journal article, 2002
The supply of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) is important for optimal fetal and postnatal development. We have previously shown that leptin levels in suckling rats are reduced by maternal PUFA deficiency. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of maternal dietary intake of (n-3) and (n-6) PUFA on the leptin content in rat milk and serum leptin levels in suckling pups. For the last 10 days of gestation and throughout lactation, the rats were fed an isocaloric diet containing 7% linseed oil (n-3 diet), sunflower oil (n-6 diet), or soybean oil (n-6/n-3 diet). Body weight, body length, inguinal fat pad weight, and adipocyte size of the pups receiving the n-3 diet were significantly lower during the whole suckling period compared with n-6/n-3 fed pups. Body and fat pad weights of the n-6 fed pups were in between the other two groups at week one, but not different from the n-6/n-3 group at week 3. Feeding dams the n-3 diet resulted in decreased serum leptin levels in the suckling pups compared with pups in the n-6/n-3 group. The mean serum leptin levels of the n-6 pups were between the other two groups but not different from either group. There were no differences in the milk leptin content between the groups. These results show that the balance between the n-6 and n-3 PUFA in the maternal diet rather than amount of n-6 or n-3 PUFA per se could be important for adipose tissue growth and for maintaining adequate serum leptin levels in the offspring.
Adipocytes/cytology
Animals
dosage/classification/metabolism
Milk/chemistry
Diet
Leptin/biosynthesis/*blood
Unsaturated/*administration &
Adipose Tissue/chemistry/metabolism
Prenatal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
Rats
Body Weight
Analysis of Variance
Linoleic Acid/*administration & dosage
Animals
Pregnancy
Dietary Fats
Suckling/blood
alpha-Linolenic Acid/*administration & dosage
RNA
Fatty Acids/analysis
Female
Messenger/biosynthesis
Author
Marina Korotkova
University of Gothenburg
Britt Gabrielsson
University of Gothenburg
Malin Lönn
University of Gothenburg
Lars Åke Hanson
University of Gothenburg
Birgitta Strandvik
University of Gothenburg
J Lipid Res
Vol. 43 10 1743-9
Subject Categories
Endocrinology and Diabetes
Physiology
DOI
10.1194/jlr.M200105-JLR200