Key Findings:
Diabetes may develop during gestation and affect the health of the offspring during fetal life and postnatally. During pregnancy, the sensitivity to hormones is increased and thus lignan consumption should be undertaken with caution due to the hormonal effects of these phytoestrogens. In this study, using a model of in utero exposure to maternal diabetes, flaxseed flour (milled seed) was able to correct low birth weight in offspring. An observed lower weight was observed for pups at weaning, indicating that flaxseed was not able to counter the effects of diabetes in during lactation. This effect may be due to estrogen like actions of SDG that are transferred to milk.
ABSTRACT:
Diabetes is a complication which occurring during gestation might substantially influence the development of offspring during fetal life and postnatally. Flaxseed is a source of omega 3, that the appropriate supply during gestation and lactation are determinant for a suitable perinatal growth and development. The present study aimed to assess beneficial effects of the use of flaxseed flour during pregnancy and lactation on body development from birth to weaning of offspring from diabetic mothers. Methods: twelve rats from a total of eighteen were induced to diabetes by high fat diet during four weeks, also receiving one lower dose of streptozotocin. After confirmation of diabetes, they were mated and when pregnancy was confirmed, they were divided in 3 groups: high fat group (HFG), high fat flaxseed flour group (HFFFG) and control group (CG), receiving high fat diet, high fat diet added flaxseed flour and control diet, respectively. They were fed this way during whole gestation and lactation. The body development of offspring was measured weekly since the first day after birth until weaning. Results: At birth, the average body mass of offspring from diabetics mothers who received only high-fat diet was 23,6 per cent lighter than body mass of offspring from non-diabetics mothers, while the animals from diabetic mothers who consumed flaxseed flour during pregnancy and lactation showed the same body mass than the control group. During all experiment HFFFG group showed decreased body mass in comparison with control group. Conclusion: The treatment with flaxseed flour was capable of avoiding lower birth weight in offspring from diabetic mothers. However, the consumption of flaxseed flour by mothers during lactation yielded decrease offspring weight at weaning. (Authors Abstract)