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Coconut water alters maternal high fat diet induced changes in hormones and pup morphometry of Wistar rats
Insights
Coconut water (CW) consumption during pregnancy may protect offspring from adverse effects of a maternal high-fat diet (HFD). This study found CW improved maternal health and reduced negative impacts on pup development and placental health in rats fed HFD.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Nutritional science
- Developmental programming
Background:
- Maternal high-fat diet (HFD) during gestation adversely affects fetal metabolism and cardiovascular health, increasing risks for adult obesity and related diseases.
- Coconut water (CW) has demonstrated hypolipidemic effects, particularly in the context of HFD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of oral CW administration on lipid profiles, hormone levels, and morphometric parameters in dams and pups exposed to HFD during gestation.
Main Methods:
- Pregnant Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, CW, HFD, and HFD + CW.
- Treatments were administered daily from gestation day 1 to 21.
- Measurements included pup and placental morphometry, maternal serum lipid and hormone profiles, and placental oxidative stress.
Main Results:
- The HFD + CW group showed significant reductions in pup weight and morphometric indices compared to the HFD group.
- Significant improvements in maternal serum lipid profiles and alterations in hormone levels were observed.
- Placental lipid peroxidation was higher in the HFD + CW group.
Conclusions:
- Coconut water exhibits protective effects against maternal HFD-induced adverse programming of fetal development.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific mechanisms by which CW influences fetal programming and long-term adult health outcomes.
Background:
Maternal high fat diet (HFD) during gestation adversely programmes foetal metabolism and cardiovascular function for the development of obesity and its related cardiovascular diseases in adult life. The hypolipidemic actions of coconut water (CW) in the presence of HFD have been reported. This study examined the effects of oral administration of CW on lipid panel, hormone profile, pup and placental morphometry of dams fed HFD during gestation.
Methods:
Twenty-four pregnant Wistar rats were assigned to four groups (n = 6) and treated daily from gestation day (GD) 1 to 21 as follows; Group 1: 1 ml/100g b.wt. distilled water; Group 2: 1ml/100g b.wt. CW; Group 3: HFD (70% standard rat feed plus 30% butter); Group 4: HFD + 1 ml/100g b.wt. CW. Animals were sacrificed on GD 21. Random blood glucose was measured using tail blood. Caesarean section was performed to remove the pups and their placentas which were immediately measured. Oxidative stress status of the placentas; serum lipid and hormone profiles of dams were assessed.
Results:
HFD+CW resulted in significant (P < 0.05) reductions in pup weight and morphometric indices when compared with pups from HFD. These changes were accompanied by significant improvements in maternal serum lipid profile, alterations in hormone levels and higher placental lipid peroxidation.
Conclusion:
These results suggest that coconut water is protective against maternal high fat diet-induced changes. Further studies are on-going to determine the actions of coconut water of maternal high fat diet induced foetal programming of adult health.
