[Influence of heated linseed oil on reproduction in the female rat and on the composition of hepatic lipids in young rats].

During gestation and lactation, six month old female Wistar rats were fed diets containing 10 p. 100 by weight of various vegetable oils; thermopolymerized linseed oil at 275 degrees C for 12 hours under nitrogen atmosphere (group T), oxidized linseed oil at 200 degrees C for 100 hours under air atmosphere (group O). The two oils contain respectively 11,5 and 1,1 p. 100 of cyclic monomers (18 C). Control groups were fed either fresh linseed oil or fresh peanut oil under the same conditions. In group T, most of the newborn rats die at birth or during the first three days of life; none of them survive 13 days after birth. In group O, mortality of youngs is not so high but is still significantly higher than in control groups. Moreover, dead young rats of group T have heavier livers and higher lipid content in the organ. Cyclic monomers were detected in liver fatty acids. In surviving young rats of group O,the body growth during lactation is significantly slower than in control animals. Young rats of group O were sacrificed at the age of 14 days. Liver weight and lipid content of the organ are increased and cyclic monomers were detected. The effects are however less pronounced than in group T. One can assume that among abnormal compounds formed during heating of linseed oil, cyclic monomers are responsible for the toxic effects observed in the present experiment since they have been transmitted to the litters either during gestation or lactation.