Long Term Consumption of Coconut Oil Diet Increased Anxiety Related Behaviour in CD1 Mice

The effect of prolonged consumption of virgin coconut oil (VCO) diet on anxiety was assessed in CD1 mice using the Open field (OF), Elevated plus maze (EPM) and Light/dark box (LD box) tests. Thirty male CD1 mice (28.4-32.5 g bw) divided into 3 groups (n=10 each) were given normal rodent chow (control), 5% (w/w) and 20% (w/w) VCO diet respectively and water ad libitum for 23 days. The OF test showed increased grooming (p< 0.05) in both 5% and 20% VCO groups versus control, and higher Freeze frequency in both VCO diet groups versus control, with the 20% diet Original Research Article Bisong et al.; JOCAMR, 2(1): 1-13, 2017; Article no.JOCAMR.30315 2 group being higher than that for 5% diet group (p