Effects of flaxseed on rat milk creamatocrit and its contribution to offspring body growth

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of flaxseed on rat milk creamatocrit and its contribution to offspring weight gain during lactation. METHODS: The study was conducted with 22 Lister Hooded rats divided into two groups: Control Group (CG, n = 11), which received a casein-based diet with 17% protein, and Flaxseed Group (FG, n = 11), which received a 25% flaxseed diet supplemented with 14% casein, totaling 17% protein. Food consumption was controlled per individual cage and litter size. Maternal milk creamatocrit and offspring weight variation until weaning age were also evaluated. RESULTS: FG was similar to CG concerning food intake (FG = 76.46±31.87 g; CG = 76.7±33.36 g; p = 0.9613) and equivalent to CG concerning litter size (FG = 4.94±2.34; CG = 5.5±3.19; p = 0.435). The same was found for milk fat content (FG = 18.4±4.76; CG = 15.3±6.03; p = 0.204) and total energy value (FG = 212.92±46.4; CG = 181.1±60; p = 0.1964). FG was similar to CG both in offspring body weight at weaning (FG = 37±6.96 g; CG = 32.6±7.5 g; p = 0.1817) and in weight gain (FG = 31.8±7.0 g; CG = 27.7±7.5 g; p = 0.2104). CONCLUSION: A total of 25% flaxseed promoted an adequate offspring growth.