Maternal n-3 PUFA lower the risk of schizophrenia-like deficits in adult offspring of C57BL/6 dams

Nancy Rawal
MSc Student
Department of Biochemistry

Date: March 18, 2024
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 
Room: CSF 1302

Abstract:

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by various positive and negative symptoms and severe behavioural problems. A deficiency of omega (n)-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) is observed in SCZ patients. N-3 PUFA have important roles in neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity and cognition. We hypothesized that a higher intake of n-3 PUFA during gestation and lactation will reduce the risk of SCZ-like deficits in offspring. The Maternal Immune Activation (MIA) model [administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at a specific time during gestation] induces SCZ-like deficits in the offspring. Pregnant mice at GD 14.5 were injected with LPS or saline, and fed a high-fat diet (20% w/w), containing high (9% of total fatty acids) or low (1% of total fatty acids) n-3 PUFA, until weaning. At weaning, all offspring (male and female) were switched to a chow diet; after post-natal day 21 and 70, offspring were tested for behavioural alterations and blood and tissues were collected for analysis. Offspring of mothers fed a diet high in n-3 PUFA and treated with LPS showed higher incorporation of n-3 PUFA. Interestingly, offspring of mothers fed a diet low in n-3 PUFA and treated with LPS revealed behavioural deficit trends; this was mostly observed in male offspring. It is anticipated that sustained intake of n-3 PUFA in post-natal life may be essential to maintain brain DHA levels and improve SCZ-like deficits.