Maternal consumption of nut oil (Bertholletia excelsa): Evidence of anxiolytic-like behavior and reduction in brain lipid peroxidation on the progeny of rats

Abstract

Introduction

Maternal nutrition plays a crucial role in the development of offspring, influencing both biochemical and behavioral parameters. Brazil nut oil, rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidant bioactive compounds, may provide metabolic, neuroprotective, and anxiolytic benefits to the offspring when offered during the critical period of development.

Objective

Investigate the impact of maternal consumption of crude or refined Brazil nut oil during pregnancy and lactation on anxiety-like behavior and brain lipid peroxidation in rat offspring.

Methodology

Each group were compound by male (M) and female (F) puppies. The groups formed were: Controls (CG-M and CG-F) –treated with distilled water; Crude oil (CO-M and CO-F) receiving 3000 mg/kg of body weight of Brazil nut crude oil, and Refined oil (RO-M and RO-F) − treated with 3000 mg/kg of body weight of refined Brazil oil. The dams were treated during pregnancy and lactation. Anxiety-like behavior was observed in the offspring during adolescence using: elevated plus maze (EPM), open field (OF) and light–dark box (LDB). Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured in the pups’ brain tissue.

Results

RO-M/RO-F entered and spent more into the open arms and realized more head dipping CO-M/CO-F and CO-F/RO-F presented increased locomotion and less grooming in the OF; RO-M and RO-F realized more rearing compared to controls groups and CO-M and CO-F compared to all groups. All groups treated with crude and refinated oil spent more time in the light area and realized more transitions in the LDB. Cerebral MDA were decreased in all experimental groups compared to controls groups.

Conclusion

Maternal comsuption of Brazil nut oil induced anxiolitic-like behavior and reduced brain lipid peroxidation of the male and female offspring in rats.