Reproduction and lipid composition of rats fed cyclopropene fatty acids
Nixon, J.E.; Eisele, T.A.; Hendricks, J.D.; Sinnhuber, R.O.
Journal of Nutrition 107(4): 574-583
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-3166 PMID: 845696 Document Number: 117787
The effect of cyclopropene fatty acids given in saturated or unsaturated lipid diets on reproduction and lipid composition of progeny was estimated in rats. Sterculia foetida oil (50% cyclopropene fatty acids) given at 0.2% of the diet for 3 generations and 0.5% given to first generation rats did not significantly affect breeding; 2% S. foetida oil given with 3% maize oil did not appreciably affect conception rats and litter size in the first litters, but reduced survival 36% in the first litters and 78% in the second litters. Replacement of the 3% maize oil with 3% animal fat in diet containing 2% S. foetida oil reduced litter rate from 87 to 7% in the first litter. Cyclopropene fatty acids were readily incorporated into the tissue and milk of females. Pups rapidly accumulated cyclopropene through mother's milk. Foetal tissue contained only 10% of the cyclopropene concentration in females fed on a diet containing 2% S. foetida oil and 3% maize oil; the amounts of foetal cyclopropene doubled when animal fat replaced maize oil in the diet. Unsaturated lipid in the diet enabled rats to cope with the effects of moderate amounts of cyclopropene fatty acids, but the combination of cyclopropene in saturated lipid diets had detrimental effects.