Supplemental flaxseed modulates ovarian functions of weanling gilts via the action of selected fatty acids

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of dietary flaxseed on the endocrine and ovarian functions of weanling gilts challenged with E. coli and Coronavirus infections treated with dietary probiotic cheeses and to understand the possible mechanisms of its effects on ovarian function. Probiotics were used as a natural substitution for antibiotics and 10% dietary flaxseed is an effective prebiotic which supports the action of probiotics and has other beneficial effects on the organism. Probiotics with or without flaxseed were fed to weanling gilts starting 10 days before and lasting up until 14 days after weaning. The ovaries were measured and histologically analysed. The blood samples for the levels of steroid hormones and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) were assessed using immunoassays and the levels of fatty acids were assessed using gas chromatography. All samples were collected on the day of weaning and 14 days after weaning. On the day of weaning, increased levels of linoleic acid and IGF-I was associated with higher body weight. The steroid hormones were not affected by the diet. The conversion of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) to timodonic (EPA) and cervonic (DHA) acids were lower compared to controls, and together with high levels of myristic, palmitic and palmitoleic acids was associated with the higher proliferation and lower apoptosis in the primordial, primary and secondary follicles; although the inhibition of the cell cycle was observed in relation to the low level of eicosadienoic acid. The high levels of ALA, EPA and DHA and the low levels of myristic, palmitic and palmitoleic acids may have been the effect of flaxseed feeding 14 days post-weaning and may have had a reverse effect on the proliferation and apoptosis of ovarian follicles. These data suggest that flaxseed may suppress the follicle development in weanlings via the stimulation of apoptosis and the inhibition of proliferation via the modulation of the metabolism of selected fatty acids.

Protective effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of foeniculum vulgare and linum usitatissimum on ovarian follicle reserve in the first-generation mouse pups

“…It has been shown that a diet containing 5% flaxseed could delay puberty, whereas using a diet containing 1% flax seed could result in early maturity and increase ovarian weight as well as serum estrogen level [40]. Vlckova R et al showed that supplemental flaxseed modulates ovarian functions of weanling gilts via the action of selected fatty acids [41]. The previous studies have indicated that phytoestrogens, such as soy, red clover, and flaxseed, are effective in reducing serum estrogen levels and thus could decrease the severity of menopausal symptoms, such as flushing [42] Previous studies demonstrated that excessive consumption of phytoestrogens, such as soy, could negatively affect the genital system, destroy ovarian follicles, and decrease body weight and ovary [43].…”

Dietary Supplementation of Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) Alters Ovarian Functions of Xylene-Exposed Mice

“…Progesterone (P4), estradiol-17β (E2), and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentrations were analyzed in 25–100 µL of either blood serum or culture medium. Radioimmunoassay was used for P4 and E2 assessment (ng/mL and pg/mL, respectively) and immunoradiometric assay for IGF-I assessment (ng/mL) according to the manufacturer’s instructions in duplicate as described in our previous studies [ 27 , 28 ]. Values in the culture medium are expressed in ng (P4, IGF-I) or pg (E2) per mg tissue per day.…”

Effects of supplemental flaxseed on the ovarian and uterine functions of adult cycling mice

“…PUFA are the integral components of cell membranes influencing their physical-chemical properties and fluidity (Yu et al 2014). Phytoestrogens can stimulate lipid metabolism including PUFA, in the liver by favouring the metabolism of n-3 PUFA over n-6 PUFA (Sopková et al 2017;Vlčková et al 2018;Rezaei et al 2020). Decreased activity of Δ-6-desaturase, the enzyme common for metabolism of both n-6 and n-3 PUFA (Stoffel et al 2008), results in the incorporation of n-3 PUFA derivatives in membranes of all the body cells (Hulbert et al 2005) and in modulation of cell cycle and apoptosis (Vlčková et al 2018).…”

“…Phytoestrogens can stimulate lipid metabolism including PUFA, in the liver by favouring the metabolism of n-3 PUFA over n-6 PUFA (Sopková et al 2017;Vlčková et al 2018;Rezaei et al 2020). Decreased activity of Δ-6-desaturase, the enzyme common for metabolism of both n-6 and n-3 PUFA (Stoffel et al 2008), results in the incorporation of n-3 PUFA derivatives in membranes of all the body cells (Hulbert et al 2005) and in modulation of cell cycle and apoptosis (Vlčková et al 2018). Many studies reported that flaxseeds are applicable in the suppression of menopausal symptoms (Akhbari Torkestani et al 2011;Colli et al 2012) and cancers of reproductive organs and breasts in postmenopausal women (Thompson et al 2005;Lowcock et al 2013;Cetisli et al 2015).…”