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Omega‐3 fatty acid supplementation improves adaptive coping in a rat model of post‐partum depression

Omega‐3 fatty acid (O3FA) supplementation may relieve symptoms of post‐partum depression (PPD) and anxiety and aid in learning and memory. Our objective was to determine if O3FA supplementation could decrease anxiety and improve learning and memory in a rat model of PPD. Rats consumed diets prepared with 7% menhaden or sunflower oil (24% vs. 0% O3FA) ad libitum across two cycles of gestation. Open field (OF) and shuttle box escape (SBE) tests began after the second parturition. Data shown are the mean ± SEM, n=10/group. In the OF, both groups showed decreased ambulation from day 1 to 2, indicating habituation; the day 2 decrease was greater in the deficient than supplemented group (5.9 ± 1.6 vs. 1.2 ±1.0 m) using repeated measures ANOVA [F(1,18)=6.022, P=0.025]. In the SBE, the supplemented group had more escapes out of 30 trials [24 ± 1 vs. 18 ± 2; F(1,18)=6.325, P=0.022] and shorter escape latencies [11 ± 1 vs. 15 ± 2 sec; F(1,18)=4.835, P=0.041] than the deficient group. OF results do not indicate reduced anxiety. SBE results indicate that O3FA supplementation may facilitate an adaptive coping mechanism in response to stress. Funded by the Research Enhancement Program, Texas State University.