Effects of maternal supplementation with DHA and/or egg yolk powder on monoamine homeostasis in the perinatal piglet brain

ABSTRACT

Objectives

Reports indicate that children of mothers who received docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or egg yolk supplements during pregnancy have improved performance on cognitive tasks and brain growth; their combination has recently been demonstrated to modulate functional neuronal network connectivity in the human-relevant piglet brain. To expand upon this functional connectivity analysis, neurochemical evaluation to determine how dietary supplementation with one or both of these nutrients during the last trimester of pregnancy alters monoamine homeostasis in selected brain regions of piglets was done.

Methods

Beginning gestation days 60–69 through weaning, pregnant sows were fed either control diet or diets supplemented with egg yolk powder, DHA, or both. Brains were then collected, and monoamine neurotransmitters and their metabolites were quantified from various brain regions with HPLC-ECD.

Results

Relative to controls, egg yolk supplementation increased serotonin metabolite (5-HIAA) levels in the cerebellum, while DHA supplementation decreased serotonin (5-HT) levels in the prefrontal cortex; combined supplementation increased norepinephrine metabolite (MHPG) levels in the prefrontal cortex and cerebellum, but decreased 5-HT levels in the posterior hippocampus. Notably, all diets increased serotonin, dopamine, and their respective metabolite levels in the substantia nigra.

Disscussion

This suggests both overlapping and specific effects of DHA and components of egg yolk in the context of maternal supplementation during pregnancy and lactation that might facilitate optimal neurodevelopment, with the nigrostriatal pathway being particularly sensitive. Such supplementations might impact brain function and facilitate development later in life through modulating monoamine homeostasis.

KEYWORDS:

• monoamines
• brain development
• porcine model
• maternal diet
• perinatal supplementation

Disclosure statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.

Data availability statement

The authors declare that the data associated with this paper is available upon request.

Additional information

Funding

The study was supported by the United States Department of Agriculture-National Institute of Food and Agriculture (2020-67017-30839) and Georgia Experimental Agricultural Station (HATCH, #GEO001002) awarded to HJP. We also acknowledge support by the Sharma Distinguished Professorship in Toxicology endowment to NMF.

Notes on contributors

Brice T. Hudson

Brice T. Hudson is a Ph.D. Neuroscience student at the University of Georgia. He is in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, and his research focuses on neurotoxicology.

Stephanie T. Dubrof

Stephanie T. Dubrof is a Ph.D. student at the University of Georgia and a graduate assistant researcher. She is in the Department of Nutritional Science, and her research focuses on maternal nutrition and brain function of offspring.

Skylar E. Settles

Skylar E. Settles is a PhD student in the Department of Genetics at the University of Georgia. Her research interests are in regeneration.

Hea J. Park

Hea J. Park is an Associate Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Georgia. The research conducted in Dr. Park’s laboratory aims to identify and define the beneficial role of bioactive food compounds and functional foods on optimal health in humans. Dr. Park utilizes translational large animal models and human cohorts to elucidate the mechanism of action of food components on inflammation and neurocognition.

Nikolay M. Filipov

Nikolay M. Filipov is a Professor in the Physiology and Pharmacology Department at the University of Georgia. His research focuses are neurotoxicology, neuroimmunology, and basal ganglia disorders. He is also involved in the Interdisciplinary Toxicology and Neuroscience programs at the University of Georgia.