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A Comparative Study on the Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Lactation
İrem Mutlu Durğut1, Hayrunnisa Yeşil Sarsmaz2, Seren Gülşen Gürgen3
1Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Midwifery, Manisa Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey.
Molecular Nutrition & Food Research
|January 23, 2026
Summary
Maternal fish oil supplementation during lactation significantly boosted docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels and improved mammary tissue function compared to flaxseed or walnut oil. This suggests fish oil is a superior dietary strategy for enhancing milk quality and offspring nutrition.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Lactational Physiology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Omega-3 fatty acids are crucial for infant development.
- Maternal diet during lactation influences milk composition and mammary gland function.
- Different omega-3 sources (fish, flaxseed, walnut oils) may have varying effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of maternal omega-3 fatty acid supplementation (fish, flaxseed, walnut oils) during lactation on rat mammary tissue and milk quality.
- To compare the efficacy of different omega-3 sources in modulating key biochemical markers and growth factors.
Main Methods:
- Rats received oral gavage of fish oil, flaxseed oil, or walnut oil from parturition to Day 21.
- Mammary tissues were analyzed using immunohistochemistry.
- Blood samples were assessed biochemically.
- Key markers included docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), Fatty Acid Desaturase-2 (FADS2), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
Main Results:
- Fish oil group showed significantly higher docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels (p < 0.05).
- Fatty Acid Desaturase-2 (FADS2) levels differed significantly between the negative control and other groups (p < 0.05), but not in the walnut oil group (p > 0.05).
- Immunostaining for IGF-1, TGF-β1, and VEGF showed significant variations across all groups (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Maternal fish oil supplementation during lactation is more effective than flaxseed or walnut oil in enhancing milk quality and mammary tissue function.
- Fish oil may serve as a beneficial dietary strategy to improve milk composition and support offspring nutritional needs.
- Further research could explore optimal dosages and long-term effects on offspring development.
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