Efeito do óleo de gergelim (sesamum indicum L.) ofertado durante a gestação e lactação sobre o desenvolvimento comportamental da prole.

Abstract

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are extremely important for neurological development during periods of pregnancy and lactation, enabling learning and appropriate behavior throughout life. Linoleic acid (LA) is a precursor of arachidonic acid (AA) in the body, and has a role in brain development of the fetus. Among the oils, sesame presents itself as a great source of linoleic acid (omega 6). Considering the importance of lipids in brain development, this work aimed to evaluate the influence of sesame oil, cognitive development of rat pups offspring whose mothers were treated with this oil during pregnancy and lactation. Primiparous female Wistar were used to obtain the puppies, adopting controlled temperature of 22 ± 1 ° C, light / dark cycle 12/12 hours, humidity ± 65%, and weight of 218 ± 18g, with free access to water and food ad libtum . At 90 days of age, rats were mated. After confirmation of pregnancy, the vaginal smear, the animals were divided into two (2) groups: one control group "C" and an experimental Sesame Oil Group "OG", the first day of pregnancy until the end of lactation. One day after birth, the litters were standardized in six (06) puppies. The animals in each group were breastfed up to 21 days of life. From the 35th day the puppies were subjected to behavioral tests using the Open Field, High Plus Maze (EPM), Habituation to the Open Field and object recognition test on different days. Data were statistically analyzed with the help of Sigma Stat 3.0, whichever is the t test followed by Mann-Whitney, and expressed as mean standard error (SEM). The results of this study showed that in the Open Field test, sesame oil had no effect on any of the parameters, while the CSF significantly different (p <0.05) lower in the parameter number of diving header indicating effect anxiogenic. Furthermore, sesame oil had an effect on memory, as indicated by the statistically significant difference (p <0.05) lower in ambulation habituation test parameter in the Open Field and long-term memory in the Object Recognition test greater statistical difference in the operation of the new object. Thus, sesame oil, as a source of omega-6 during pregnancy / lactation, promoted positive effects on behavioral tests related to memory, showing an important oil for the development and maintenance of psychomotor and cognitive functions of rat offspring.