Anxiety behavior is reduced, and physical growth is improved in the progeny of rat dams that consumed lipids from goat milk: An elevated plus maze analysis

The goat milk contains conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which can influence physical growth and brain development. This study investigated the impact of a diet containing goat milk fat (GMF) on physical parameters of gestating (G) and/or lactating (L) rat dams, and their progeny's physical growth, and anxiety behavior. In the dams, body weight was evaluated during gestation and lactation. Maternal physical parameters, thoracic and abdominal circumference and liver weight were measured at weaning. In the progeny, indicators of somatic development, and consolidation of reflex responses (palm grasp, righting, free-fall righting, vibrissa placing, auditory startle response, negative geotaxis and cliff avoidance) were determined. Anxiety behavior was tested on the elevated plus maze (EPM). Compared to the controls, GMF-pups presented higher body weight and tail length at days 18 and 21 (groups G + L and L). In the L-group, cliff avoidance and free-fall righting responses were respectively delayed, and accelerated. Fur appearance was anticipated in G + L pups. On postnatal day 35, the EPM responses of the G group indicated less anxiety than in the controls. Data show developmental and behavioral modifications in the progeny of dams fed the GMF-rich diet consumed during gestation and lactation, suggesting the involvement of CLA in such effects.