[Exclusion of alpha-linolenic acid from diets for rats during several generations. I. Effect on reproduction and...

The effects of a dietary alphalinolenic acid (18: 3w3) deficiency on reproduction and post natal growth in rats during 3 successive generations were studied. Female rats received respectively a diet with sunflower oil at 10% (deficient diet) or a diet with soya oil at 10% (control diet). The results showed that in our experimental conditions deficient diet affects: fecundity, fertility, post natal growth and cause a high rates of perinatal mortality from birth to post partum day 3: Perinatal mortality increased with successive gestation from 14.6% to 18.6% compared with the survival of control. The fatty acid composition of placenta phospholipids and milk lipids reflected the nature of the dietary oil. The possibility that 18: 3w3 might function in a way different from the EFA role of 18: 2w6 in reproduction at least in rats has been discussed.