Flaxseed oil during lactation changes milk and body composition in male and female suckling pups rats

We have reported several changes in neonate or adult offspring after the maternal use of whole flaxseed or its components. However, it is unknown the use of higher oil intake in the neonatal period. Here we evaluated the effects of high maternal intake of flaxseed oil during lactation upon milk and body composition in male and female offspring. Lactating rats were divided into: (1) control (C, n = 10), 7% soybean oil; (2) hyper 19% soybean oil (HS, n = 10); and (3) hyper 17% flaxseed oil + 2% soybean oil (HF, n = 10). Dams and offspring were killed at weaning. HS and HF dams, male and female offspring presented lower body weight during lactation. HF mothers presented lower body and visceral fat masses. HF male offspring presented lower body and subcutaneous fat masses. HS and HF milk presented lower triglycerides (TG) and cholesterol. HF male and female offspring showed lower triglyceridemia and insulinemia, but no changes in glycemia and leptinemia. The higher intake of flaxseed oil during lactation reduced the body weight of mothers and offspring, decreases milk lipids and apparently increases insulin sensitivity in this critical period of life. Those changes may explain the previously reported programming effect of maternal flaxseed intake during lactation.