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Effects of high-γ-linolenic acid canola oil compared with borage oil on reproduction, growth, and brain and behavioral development in mice

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Lipids

Abstract

Previous research in rats and mice has suggested that γ-linolenic acid (GLA) derived from borage oil (BO: 23% GLA) may be an appropriate source for increasing levels of long-chain n−6 FA in the developing brain. Recently, transgenic technology has made available a highly enriched GLA seed oil from the canola plant (HGCO: 36% GLA). The first objective of this study was to compare the effects of diets containing equal levels of GLA (23%) from either BO or HGCO on reproduction, pup development, and pup brain FA composition in mice. The second objective was to compare the effects of the HGCO diluted to 23% GLA (GLA-23) with those of undiluted HGCO containing 36% GLA (GLA-36). The diets were fed to the dams prior to conception and throughout pregnancy and lactation, as well as to the pups after weaning. The behavioral development of the pups was measured 12 d after birth, and anxiety in the adult male offspring was assessed using the plus maze. The findings show that despite equivalent levels of GLA, GLA-23 differed from BO in that it reduced pup body weight and was associated with a slight increase in neonatal pup attrition. However, there were no significant effects on pup behavioral development or on performance in the plus maze. An increase in dietary GLA resulted in an increase in brain 20∶4n−6 and 22∶4n−6, with a corresponding decrease in 22∶6n−3. Again, despite their similar levels of GLA, these effects tended to be larger in GLA-23 than in BO. In comparison with GLA-23, GLA-36 had larger effects on growth and brain FA composition but no differences with respect to effects on reproduction and behavioral development. These findings suggest that the HGCO can be used as an alternative source of GLA.

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Abbreviations

AA:

arachidonic acid

ALA:

α-linolenic acid

BO:

borage oil

GLA:

γ-linolenic acid

HGCO:

high-GLA canola oil

LA:

linoleic acid

LCPUFA:

long-chain PUFA

PC:

choline phosphoglycerides

PE:

ethanolamine phosphoglycerides

PS/PI:

serine/inositol phosphoglycerides

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Studies and Gerontology, University of Waterloo, N2L 3G1, Waterloo, ON, Canada

    Patricia E. Wainwright, Yung-Sheng Huang, HuaCheng Xing & Jessica Biederman

  2. Strategic Research and Development, Ross Products Division, Abbott Laboratories, 43219-3034, Columbus, Ohio

    Yung-Sheng Huang, Stephen J. DeMichele, Jim-Wen Liu & Lu-Te Chuang

Authors
  1. Patricia E. Wainwright
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  2. Yung-Sheng Huang
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  3. Stephen J. DeMichele
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  4. HuaCheng Xing
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  5. Jim-Wen Liu
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  6. Lu-Te Chuang
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  7. Jessica Biederman
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Correspondence to Patricia E. Wainwright.

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Wainwright, P.E., Huang, YS., DeMichele, S.J. et al. Effects of high-γ-linolenic acid canola oil compared with borage oil on reproduction, growth, and brain and behavioral development in mice. Lipids 38, 171–178 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-003-1048-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-003-1048-2

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