The effect of Iron Deficient Diets (with or without LC‐PUFA) on the Offspring Brain Lipid and Eicosanoid Metabolism during Pre‐Postnatal Development

Objectives We previously found that an iron deficient diet (ID) devoid in long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC‐PUFA, n‐6:n‐3=59:1) fed to pregnant and lactating guinea pigs resulted in a large spectrum of auditory alterations in the peripheral neurophysiology in the offspring. Unexpectedly, we found that adding physiological amount of LC‐PUFA (n‐6:n‐3=11:1) to this ID diet induced minor impairments. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of the (ID) diets (with or without LC‐PUFA) on Δ6‐desaturase expression, COX II protein and prostaglandin levels in the brain of these pups. Methods In experiment 1, female guinea pigs were fed an iron sufficient (IS) or iron deficient (ID) diet devoid in LC‐PUFA during the gestation and lactation periods. In experiment 2, female guinea pigs were fed the IS or ID diet in the presence of physiological quantities of LC‐PUFA. After weaning, from postnatal day 9 (PNd9) onward, the IS and IS+LC‐PUFA diets were given to pups in experiment 1 and 2, respectively. Brains and other tissues were collected on PNd24. Summary of results In both experiments, the brain COX II protein levels were unaffected in the ID and ID+LC‐PUFA siblings. In experiment 2, however, PGE 2 brain concentrations were reduced in ID+LC‐PUFA compared to IS+LC‐PUFA pups. Similarly, the offspring born to dams fed the ID+LC‐PUFA diet also exhibited a trend for a reduced brain Δ6‐desaturase expression. Conclusion These experiments are showing that the addition of LC‐PUFA to a diet know to induce a mild iron deficiency have an impact on specific markers of brain lipid‐eisosanoid metabolism. However, the physiological outcomes of these central nervous system changes are unknown. Support or Funding Information Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research