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Docosahexaenoic and arachidonic acid influence on preterm baboon retinal composition and function
Guan-Yeu Diau1, Ellis R Loew, Vasuki Wijendran
1Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.
Insights
Breast-feeding is best for infant vision, optimizing retinal response. Supplementing preterm infant formula with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) improves visual function compared to unsupplemented formula.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology and Visual Science
- Nutritional Neuroscience
- Neonatal Research
Background:
- Dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid deficiency and prematurity are linked to poor visual function in human and nonhuman primates.
- Understanding the impact of diet on visual development in preterm infants is crucial for optimizing long-term outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure retinal long-chain polyunsaturate (LCP) concentrations and electroretinogram (ERG) parameters in term and preterm baboons.
- To evaluate the effects of different dietary interventions, including breast milk and supplemented/unsupplemented formula, on visual function.
Main Methods:
- Baboon neonates were divided into four groups: term/breast-fed, term/formula-fed, preterm/unsupplemented formula, and preterm/supplemented formula.
- Electroretinograms (ERGs) and retinal fatty acid compositions were analyzed.
- Key ERG parameters (a-wave slope, amplitude, implicit time; b-wave amplitude, implicit time) were correlated with LCP concentrations.
Main Results:
- Preterm infants receiving formula supplemented with long-chain polyunsaturates (P+) showed significant improvements in ERG parameters (a-wave slope, b-wave amplitude) over four weeks.
- Term breast-fed infants (B) exhibited superior retinal response amplitudes (a-wave and b-wave) compared to all formula-fed groups at four weeks.
- Retinal concentrations of 22:6n-3 (docosahexaenoic acid) and related n-3 fatty acids positively correlated with improved ERG parameters.
Conclusions:
- Breast-feeding is optimal for retinal function development in 4-week-old baboons.
- Formula supplemented with 22:6n-3 (DHA) effectively preserves retinal DHA levels and enhances ERG parameters in preterm infants.
- Retinal DHA status is strongly associated with a-wave parameters, highlighting its critical role in visual pathway development.
Purpose:
Dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid deficiency and prematurity are both associated with suboptimal visual function in nonhuman primates and in humans. This study reports measurements of retinal long chain polyunsaturate (LCP) concentrations and electroretinogram (ERG) parameters for term and preterm neonatal baboons consuming clinically relevant diets.
Methods:
ERGs and retinal fatty acid compositions were obtained from baboon neonates in four groups: term-delivered/breast-fed (B), term/formula-fed (T-), preterm/formula-fed (P-), and preterm/formula (P+) supplemented with long chain polyunsaturates. Initial a-wave slope change (ä), a-wave amplitude (a(amp)) and implicit time (a(i)), and b-wave amplitude (b(amp)) and implicit time (b(i)) were determined and correlations to retinal fatty acid concentrations were evaluated.
Results:
The P+ group ä and b(amp) significantly improved between 0 and 4 weeks' adjusted age, whereas no P- group parameter improved with age. At four weeks, both a(amp) and b(amp) were significantly greater in group B than in all other groups, and ä and a(i) were greater for P+ than for P-. Concentrations of 22:6n-3, 22:5n-3, and Sigman-3 and the 22:5n-6/22:6n-3 ratio correlated positively with improved retinal response parameters, whereas 22:5n-6, 22:4n-6, 20:4n-6, 20:3n-6, 20:2n-9, 20:1n-9, and 18:1n-9 all correlated negatively (P < 0.05); saturates were uncorrelated. The parameters most linearly related to retinal 22:6n-3 were ä, a(i), and a(amp). Retinal 20:4n-6 concentrations were not influenced by prematurity or supplementation.
Conclusions:
Breast-feeding optimizes retinal response in 4-week-old baboons. Formula supplemented with 22:6n-3 prevents a decrease in retinal 22:6n-3 and improves preterm ERG parameters compared with unsupplemented formula. Retinal 22:6n-3 status is most closely associated with a-wave parameters.
