RESUMO
The effects of a dietary alphalinolenic acid (18: 3w3) deficiency on reproduction and post natal growth in rats during 3 successive generations were studied. Female rats received respectively a diet with sunflower oil at 10 (deficient diet) or a diet with soya oil at 10 (control diet). The results showed that in our experimental conditions deficient diet affects: fecundity, fertility, post natal growth and cause a high rates of perinatal mortality from birth to post partum day 3: Perinatal mortality increased with successive gestation from 14.6 to 18.6 compared with the survival of control. The fatty acid composition of placenta phospholipids and milk lipids reflected the nature of the dietary oil. The possibility that 18: 3w3 might function in a way different from the EFA role of 18: 2w6 in reproduction at least in rats has been discussed.
