Influência do óleo de pequi (caryocar brasiliense) sobre o desenvolvimento físico, reflexo e somático da prole de ratas tratadas durante a gestação e lactação.

Abstract

Pregnancy and lactation are considered critical periods of neonatal development, which involves high energy demand due to the formation of fetal tissues and maturation of the nervous system. An essential nutrient for this stage of life is dietary lipids. A potential dietary source is pequi oil because it has significant quantities of unsaturated fatty acids, such as oleic acid which plays a fundamental role in neurogenesis. In view of the above, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of pequi oil supplementation during pregnancy and lactation on the development of the nervous system of the offspring. Female primiparous animals were used to obtain infant rats. The animals were divided into two groups: Control Group (GC) supplemented with distilled water and Pequi Oil Group (GP) supplemented with Pequi Oil, both groups received 1,000 mg/kg of animal weight. The weight and tail size of the animal were recorded daily. For the evaluation of the development, the following reflexes were evaluated: Vanishing of the palmar grip (DPP) and appearances of the following responses: Postural recovery of decubitus (RDP), Space placement triggered by the Vibrissas (CPV), cliff aversion (AVP), Negative Geotaxis (NG), Scare Response (RS) and Decubitus Recovery in Free Fall (RDQL). The somatic parameters measured were: Opening of the auricular Pavilion (APA), Opening of the auditory canal (ACA), Opening of the Eyes (AO), Eruption of the Upper incisive teeth (EIS), Eruption of the Lower incisive teeth (EII) and Appearance of epidermal hairs (OPA), plus Weight and Length of Tail (CC). The observation time for all the tests was 10 seconds. The animals of the CG presented greater weight gain in relation to the GP, on the 14th and 21st day of life (p>0.05). There was no statistical difference for tail length (P0.05). The ontogenesis of the reflex responses was anticipated in relation to the indicators: PPD and POV in the GP rats in relation to CG (P0.05). As for somatic maturation, there was anticipation of APA, EIS and AO in GP animals. From these results, we can observe that the maternal intake of pequi oil reflects significantly in the acceleration of the reflex and somatic parameters of the offspring, and its consumption is appropriate for this phase of life.