Effects of essential fatty acid deficiency during late gestation on brain N-acetylneuraminic acid metabolism and behaviour in the progeny.

1. Rat dams given a diet containing 100 g maize oil/kg for approximately two weeks before mating and during the first 14 d of gestation, were given the same diet or one containing 100 g hydrogenated coconut oil/kg (essential fatty acid (EFA)-deficient) in place of maize oil until parturition. After parturition the dams were given the same diets and all progeny were weaned to the maize oil diet at 21 d of age. Brain N-acetylneuraminic acid (NeuNAc) content as well as neuraminidase (sialidase; (EC 3.2.1.18), and cytidine monophosphate N-acetylneuraminic acid synthetase (CMP-NeuNAc synthetase) activities were measured at days, 7, 14, 21 and 168 in the progeny. Y-maze learning was measured at 168 d. 2. Brain weight was independent of dietary fat at all ages. 3. Lack of EFA in the maternal diet during gestation and lactation depressed ganglioside and glycoprotein NeuNAc levels and the activities of sialidase and CMP-NeuNAc synthetase. 4. Maternal dietary deprivation of EFA irreversibly impaired learning behaviour of the progeny. A relationship exists between early exposure to EFA deficiency and learning potential of the progeny.