Characterization of the fatty acid profile in the ventral midbrain of mice exposed to dietary imbalance between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids during specific life stages

Abstract Objective Omega-6 (n-6) and omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential nutrients. Dietary imbalance between these PUFAs, in particular high in n-6 PUFAs and low in n-3 PUFAs (n-6high/n-3low), is common in modern society. We have previously reported that C57BL/6 mouse male offspring derived from mothers exposed to an n-6high/n-3low diet during the gestation had an augmented ventral midbrain dopamine system in adulthood; however, the fatty acid composition in this brain region has not yet been investigated. This follow-up study aims to characterize the fatty acid profile of the ventral midbrain of mice exposed to the n-6high/n-3low diet during specific life stages. Results n-6 PUFAs, especially linoleic acid, were increased in the ventral midbrain of offspring exposed to the n-6high/n-3low diet during the gestation compared to those exposed to a well-balanced control diet throughout life. On the other hand, n-3 PUFAs, especially docosahexaenoic acid, were decreased in the ventral midbrain of offspring exposed to the n-6high/n-3low diet during the gestation, lactation, or postweaning period compared to those exposed to the control diet throughout life. Thus, exposure to the n-6high/n-3low diet in pregnancy increases linoleic acid and that in any life stage decreases docosahexaenoic acid in the offspring's ventral midbrain.