임신한 흰쥐에게 필수지방산이 풍부한 옥수수기름과 필수지방산이 결핍된 야자경화유를 각각 임신 일주일부터 먹여 출생과 이유후 7주까지 사육하면서 적당한 시기에 새끼쥐의 뇌에서 DNA, 단백질, 콜레스테롤, 인지질, 중성지질, Poteolipid protein, 및 지방산 조성을 측정하였다. 필수지방산이 결핍된 새끼쥐는 실험기간동안 체중이 유의적으로 감소했으며 대조군의 약 70% 정도 밖에 되지 않았으나 뇌무게는 별 차이가 없었다. 뇌의 핵산과 단백질은 결핍식이에 영향을 받지않으나 myelin 의 지표인 proteolipid protein은 감소하였다. 뇌지질 또한 결핍식이에 영향을 받지 않았다. 지방산 조성은 양에는 별 이가 없었으나 n-6/n-3의 비는 실험기간동안 일률적으로 낮은 것으로 보아 필수지방산의 결핍증을 알기 위한 좋은 지표라고 생각된다.
Sprague Dawley pregnant rats were fed the corn-oil as a EFA-sufficient diet and hydrogenated coconut oil as a EFA-deficient diet during the 14 days of gestation and through lactation. Body and brain weights were measured on pups and the brains were analyzed for DNA, protein, proteolipid protein, cholesterol, phospholipid, and triglyceride. Body weights were significantly low in EFA-deficient group through the 7 week period, but brain weights were significantly depressed before weaning. Brain DNA and protein contents were not affected by EFA deficiency. However, proteolipid protein was significantly lower in the EFA-deficient group than the EFA-sufficient group. Brain cholesterol, phospholipid, and triglyceride were not affected by the EFA deficiency. Fatty acid compositions in the brain were not significantly different between groups but the ratio of n-6/n-3, which is considered to be a biochemical index of EFA deficiency, was much lower in the EFA-deficient pups all through the 7 week period.
