Effects of DHA on Gene Expression in Baboon Neonates
Author Information
Author(s): Kothapalli Kumar S.D., Anthony Joshua C., Pan Bruce S., Hsieh Andrea T., Nathanielsz Peter W., Brenna J. Thomas
Primary Institution: Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University
Hypothesis
How do different levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in infant formulas affect gene expression in baboon neonates?
Conclusion
Higher concentrations of LCPUFA in infant formulas lead to significant changes in gene expression related to various biological processes in baboon neonates.
Supporting Evidence
- Changes in gene expression were detected in 1,108 of 54,000 probe sets.
- Most genes showed less than 2-fold change in expression.
- Significant networks related to nervous system development were identified.
Takeaway
This study shows that feeding baboon babies formulas with more DHA can change how their genes work, which is important for their brain development.
Methodology
Twelve baboons were divided into three groups and fed different formulas for 12 weeks, followed by analysis of gene expression in their cerebral cortex.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the involvement of a company that produces infant formulas.
Limitations
The study is limited to baboon neonates and may not directly translate to human infants.
Participant Demographics
Twelve baboon neonates, randomized into three formula groups.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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