Adición de vitamina E como antioxidante en cobayas gestantes (Cavia porcellus) sometidas a restricción alimentaria y su efecto sobre los parámetros productivos de la descendencia

Abstract

Prenatal viability is related to an adequate supply of nutrients and oxygen from the mother to the embryos and subsequently to the fetuses, determined by an adequate placental structural and functional development. Therefore, an insufficient placental development due to undernourishment and/or maternal hypoxia, causes an increase in oxidative stress in the mother that exceed the endogenous antioxidant capacity, causing cell damage, which are related to a lower fetal development, low birth weight, stunting and a higher perinatal and post-natal mortality rate. The pregnant guinea pigs were divided into three groups ad libitum with 100% of the daily requirements (Group C; with restriction of 50% of the daily requirements without vitamin E supply (SNV group) and with restriction and treated with vitamin E (CNV group). The guinea pigs born to mothers of the CNV group had a higher weight during the whole lactation period and continued to be higher after weaning, likewise, the body length was longer during these two periods (lactation and weaning) compared with the SNV group. A better body mass index was also observed in the CNV group guinea pigs towards the middle of the lactation period and after weaning compared to the SNV group; all these morphometric characteristics reflected that the CNV group’s guinea pigs had a better daily mean weight gain and a better total weight gain during the juvenile development of the pups, compared to the restricted group without vitamin (SNV). In conclusion, the addition of vitamin E provides a positive effect on pregnant guinea pigs and could counteract the negative effects caused by dietary restriction on offspring.