Soy Oil Reduces Antioxidants in Litters of Treated Pregnant Rats

Background: Diet and lifestyle are important during pregnancy and breastfeeding, for health of mothers and their offspring.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of soy oil administration on pregnant Wistar rats, on the lipid peroxidation and antioxidant levels in the heart and liver of their litters.
Materials and Methods: Pregnant rats were divided into two groups. Group 1 served as the control while group 2 served as the test group and were given 2ml of soy oil through oral gavage. The administration continued until 2 weeks after the rats had delivered. At the end of the experimental period, the litters’ livers and hearts were excised and stored in phosphate buffer for biochemical analysis.
Results: The results showed that soy oil had no significant effect on malondialdehyde (MDA) in the litters’ heart and liver when compared with control (P=0.06 and 0.19 respectively). There was no significant effect on catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the litters’ heart and liver respectively when compared with control (P=0.17 and 0.07 respectively). However, SOD and CAT were significantly reduced in the litters’ heart and liver respectively when compared with control (P=0.02 and 0.001 respectively).
Conclusion: Soy oil administration on pregnant Wistar rats significantly reduced liver CAT and cardiac SOD levels in litters. Thus, our findings suggest caution when consuming soy oil during pregnancy.

antioxidants, free radicals, lipid peroxidation, reactive oxygen species, soy oil

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