Flaxseed supplementation of rats during lactation changes the adiposity and glucose homeostasis of their offspring

AimsThe aim of this paper was to evaluate the effects of maternal dietary flaxseed during lactation on endocrine and metabolic factors in the adult offspring.Main methodsLactating rats were divided into: (1) Controls (C), diet containing 20% casein; (2) Flaxseed (F), diet with additional 25% of flaxseed, containing 18.9% protein (13.9% from casein and 5% from flaxseed). The treatment started at birth, day 0 (d0) of lactation, and ended at weaning (d21). After weaning, all pups received a standard laboratory diet until 180 days old. Only male offspring were studied and were sacrificed at 21 or 180 days of age. Body composition was evaluated by carcass analysis.Key findingsOffspring from F mothers had higher body mass since lactation until adulthood. At 21 days old, they presented lower total and subcutaneous fat mass, higher leptinemia, lower total cholesterol, lower triacylglycerol and lower insulinemia (p < 0.05). At 180 days, offspring from F mothers had lower glycemia, higher insulinemia and lower adiponectin (p < 0.05) concentrations and they did not show any changes in body composition.SignificanceMaternal intake of flaxseed in the diet during lactation produces early insulin sensitivity and hyperleptinemia; these hormonal imprinting factors could program for selective insulin resistance, since the higher insulin serum concentration was not associated with higher adiposity. These findings, associated with lower serum adiponectin concentration in adulthood, could indicate an increased risk for later development of diabetes mellitus.