Effect of Maternal Supplementation of Lutein on Brain Functional Organization of Offspring in a Piglet Model

Abstract Objectives Lutein preferentially accumulates in human eyes and brains across the lifespan and is associated with visual and cognitive function. Dietary lutein intake during gestation and lactation may influence the development of neuronal networks of the infants. This study aims to provide preliminary data on the effect of maternal lutein supplementation during perinatal period on brain functional organization of the offspring. Methods Pregnant sows (n = 6) were fed a corn-based control diet (CON) or CON supplemented with lutein (LUT, 2 mg/kg BW/day) from late gestation to lactation for 60 days. Piglets (n = 7 in each group) underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to acquire anatomical, diffusion tensor imaging, and resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) data at weaning (21d old). Using a sparse dictionary learning approach, six resting-state networks were examined that resembles that of humans. Results Piglets from LUT-fed sows showed a 7.7% decreased functional connectivity in executive control network and 13.2% decrease in cerebellum network compared to that of CON piglets, suggesting perinatal LUT supplementation may suppress the activation of executive and motor function at resting state in infants. In addition, piglets from LUT-fed sows had a 10.3% decrease in functional connectivity in the visual network encompassing primary, secondary, and associative visual cortex and an 8% lower connectivity within auditory network encompassing superior temporal gyrus and auditory cortex in comparison to that of CON piglets, indicating maternal LUT supplementation may lead to a lower functional activation of the intrinsic visual and auditory networks of offspring at weaning. Slight changes in sensorimotor and default mode networks were also observed. Moreover, perinatal lutein supplementation did not change mean diffusivity, fractional anisotropy, and fiber length in hippocampus, the key component of memory formation and cognitive development. Conclusions Maternal supplementation of lutein may alter the functional organization of the offspring within multiple intrinsic networks at resting state that may underlie the functional outcomes of cognitive development of the offspring at weaning. Funding Sources Georgia Experimental Agricultural Station, Faculty research grant from Office or Research at the UGA, and Division of Research at PCOM.