Abstract
Purpose
The conversion rate of α-linolenic acid (ALA) into docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is determined by dietary and non-dietary factors. Higher capacity of DHA synthesis has been evidenced in females, indicating that sex factors influence the conversion pathway. To evaluate the extent to which sexual dimorphism of DHA synthesis is subordinated to nutritional handling, we measured the ω3 ∆4-desaturation index in male and female rats receiving adequate or inadequate amounts of ALA. The ω3 ∆4-desaturation index was drawn from the DHA to docosapentaenoic acid (ω3DPA) ratio in liver phospholipids.
Methods
Male and female rats born to ω3-deficient dams were fed a supplemented diet supplying low, inadequate, intermediate, or adequate ALA (5, 20, 100, or 300 mg ALA/100 g diet, respectively). Control rats from both gender received the adequate diet from fetal life.
Results
Compared with control, low ALA feeding induced the ω3 ∆4-desaturation index to increase by 38 and 70% in the phosphatidylethanolamine fraction of males and females, respectively, and by 67% in phosphatidylcholine in females only. Supplementations with increased doses of ALA progressively smoothed this gender effect. Moreover, the analysis of our data from a previous study shows that ovariectomy decreased, whereas estradiol treatment increased the ω3 index to values comparable with those of diet-matched males and intact females, respectively.
Conclusion
Females are more prone than males to increase their index of ω3 ∆4-desaturation, especially in response to low supplies in ALA. Estradiol supports the ω3 index, suggesting that this hormone plays a role in the effect of gender on DHA synthesis.
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Acknowledgments
We thank Patrice Dahirel and Claire Maudet for animal care and Yohann Carré and Melanie Jouin for their technical assistance. We are grateful to Noëmie Simon and Georges Veermersch from the Organisation Nationale Interprofessionnelle des Graines et Fruits Oléagineux (ONIDOL) for their constant support and interest in our works. This work was funded by the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (UR909) and by grants from the ONIDOL.
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Alessandri, JM., Extier, A., Al-Gubory, K.H. et al. Influence of gender on DHA synthesis: the response of rat liver to low dietary α-linolenic acid evidences higher ω3 ∆4-desaturation index in females. Eur J Nutr 51, 199–209 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-011-0208-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-011-0208-1