A Comparative Study on the Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Lactation

This study aimed to investigate the effects of maternal supplementation with fish oil, flaxseed oil, and walnut oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids during lactation on mammary tissue structure and milk quality. Rats were randomly assigned to negative control, control, fish oil, walnut oil, and flaxseed oil groups. The supplements were administered by oral gavage from parturition (Day 0) to the end of lactation (Day 21). Mammary tissues were evaluated immunohistochemically, and blood samples were analyzed biochemically. The docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) level in the fish oil group was significantly higher than in other groups (p < 0.05). Fatty Acid Desaturase-2 (FADS2) levels also differed significantly between the negative control and all other groups (p < 0.05), while no significant change was observed in the walnut oil group (p > 0.05). Immunostaining intensities for insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) varied significantly among all groups (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that maternal fish oil supplementation during lactation more effectively enhances milk quality and mammary tissue function than flaxseed or walnut oil, indicating its potential as a dietary strategy to improve milk composition and support offspring nutrition. Trial Registration: Registered on the Clinical Trial Registry (www.clinicaltrials.gov; Clinical Trials identifier: NCT06111378 (26/10/2023).