The Effect of Low Omega-3/Omega-6 Ratio on Auditory Nerve Conduction in Rat Pups

The biological effects of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are determined by their mutual interactions. this interaction extremely affects various functions. lower consumption of omega-3 during gestation leads to various disorders,even in hearing. we aimed to assess the effect of low omega-3/omega-6 ratios on auditory nerve conduction. in this experimental study,the auditory brainstem response test was performed on a 24-day-old rat (n=14). the rats were divided into case (low omega-3/omega-6 ratio during gestation and lactation) and control groups. variables such as p1,p3,and p4 absolute latency period,interpeak (p3-p4,p1-p3 and p1-p4),and p4/p1 amplitude ratio were measured. we found an increased p4 omega-3/omega-6 ratio in the group with a low omega-3/omega-6 ratio (p<0.01). no significant difference was observed in the p1 and p3 absolute latency period between the studied groups (p>0.05). also,no significant difference was observed between the groups with respect to the p1-p3 interpeak latency (ipl) periods (p>0.05); while the p1-p4 and p3-p4 ipls were significantly increased in the group with a low omega-3/omega-6 ratio (p<0.05). the p4/p1 amplitude ratio significantly decreased in the group with a low omega-3/omega-6 ratio (p<0.05). results confirmed the negative effects of low omega-3/omega-6 ratio on the auditory system and hearing. © 2015 tehran university of medical sciences. all rights reserved.