OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of maternal flaxseed consumption during lactation on the body weight, hematological indicators and visceral fat mass of male offspring in adulthood. METHODS: Sixteen female Wistar rats were divided into two groups after giving birth. During lactation the control group (CG) was fed a casein-based diet and the flaxseed group (FG) was fed a casein-based diet containing 25% flaxseed. After weaning, male offspring were fed on commercial chow until adulthood and euthanized at 170 days for blood collection and visceral fat mass assessment. RESULTS: Offspring of rats in the FG had lower body weight (FG = 42.69±3.06 g; CG = 47.31±4.72 g; p = 0.036) at weaning. At 170 days, lower hemoglobin levels were observed in the FG (FG = 12.30±1.28 g/dL; CG = 13.88±0.91 g/dL; p = 0.02). There was no statistically significant difference in visceral fat mass between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal consumption of a flaxseed-based diet during lactation resulted in lower body weight at weaning and lower hemoglobin levels in adulthood, when compared with the control group.
Flaxseed; rats; programming; lactation; hemoglobin
