Maternal caloric restriction spares fetal brain polyunsaturated fatty acids in Wistar rats

There is increasing interest in the role of developmental programming, however, the impact oil fetal oxidative stress and brain fatty acid levels has been relatively unexplored. Recent reports have shown that caloric restriction regimens in adult animals reduce the occurrence of chronic diseases by reducing the oxidative stress and altering the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA). The present Study examined whether caloric restriction during pregnancy alters oxidative stress and essential fatty acid metabolism in mother and offspring at birth. Pregnant female rats were fed either a standard chow (C, n = 7) or were caloric restricted (CR, n = 7) by feeding 60% of the intake of the control. Oxidative stress marker (malondialdehyde) and polyunsaturated fatty acid profiles in brain and liver were analyzed in both dams and offspring. Total weight gain during pregnancy was lower (p < 0.01) in the CR group as compared to the control group but did not affect the litter size and weight. Brain malondialdellyde levels were lower (p < 0.05) in dams from the CR group. There was no change in brain and liver LCPUFA levels ill both male and female offspring in the CR group. Most of the polyunsaturated fatty acids were reduced (p < 0.05) in plasma and brain ill the CR dams. Caloric restriction during pregnancy did not after LCPUFA metabolism in the offspring suggesting that during maternal caloric restriction mothers own stores Eire mobilized to provide docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid for fetal brain development. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.