Role of omega‐6 and omega‐3 fatty acids in fetal programming. (28th January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shrestha, Nirajan; Sleep, Simone L.; Cuffe, James S.M.; Holland, Olivia J.; Perkins, Anthony V.; Yau, Suk Yu; McAinch, Andrew J.; Hryciw, Deanne H.
• Is Part Of: Clinical and experimental pharmacology and physiology. Volume 47:Number 5(2020)
• Page Start: 907
• Page End: 915
• Publication Date: 2020-01-28
• Subjects: essential fatty acid -- fetal programming -- linoleic acid -- maternal nutrition -- sex ratio; Clinical pharmacology -- Periodicals; Pharmacology, Experimental -- Periodicals; Physiology, Experimental -- Periodicals; Physiology, Pathological -- Periodicals; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.13244
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0305-1870

Abstract

Abstract: Maternal nutrition plays a critical role in fetal development and can influence adult onset of disease. Linoleic acid (LA) and alpha‐linolenic acid (ALA) are major omega‐6 (n‐6) and n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), respectively, that are essential in our diet. LA and ALA are critical for the development of the fetal neurological and immune systems. However, in recent years, the consumption of n‐6 PUFA has increased gradually worldwide, and elevated n‐6 PUFA consumption may be harmful to human health. Consumption of diets with high levels of n‐6 PUFA before or during pregnancy may have detrimental effects on fetal development and may influence overall health of offspring in adulthood. This review discusses the role of n‐6 PUFA in fetal programming, the importance of a balance between n‐6 and n‐3 PUFAs in the maternal diet, and the need of further animal models and human studies that critically evaluate both n‐6 and n‐3 PUFA contents in diets.