Maternal dietary N-3 fatty acids alter the spleen fatty acid composition and bovine serum albumin-induced wing web swelling in broilers

Abstract

Effects of maternal dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on the spleen fatty acid composition and BSA-induced wing web swellings were investigated in broilers. One hundred twenty broiler breeder hens 26 wk of age were randomly assigned to diets containing mainly wheat, corn, soy meal, barley, oat and 5% (wt/wt) added sunflower oil, fish oil, or a mix of sunflower and fish oils (1:1). After 2 wk on the experimental diets, birds were inseminated, eggs were collected and incubated. Progeny chicks were then fed identical diets for 6 wk. The maternal dietary oils affected (P < 0.05) n-6 and n-3 PUFA in the spleens of hatching chicks. After 2 wk, n-6 PUFA did not differ among the groups; n-3 PUFA, docosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids were higher (P < 0.05) in the spleens of broilers from hens fed 2.5 or 5% fish oil. After 4 wk, broilers from hens fed 5% fish oil still had higher levels of DHA (P < 0.05) in their spleens than those from hens fed 5% sunflower oil. The BSA-induced wing web swelling response was suppressed (P < 0.05) by n-3 PUFA in breeder hens. Broilers from hens fed high levels of n-3 PUFA had lower (P < 0.05) wing web swelling reactions to BSA at 2 wk (2.5% fish oil) and 4 wk (2.5 and 5% fish oil). In conclusion, n-3 PUFA in breeder hen diets suppressed the BSA-induced wing web swellings of the hens, increased the spleen n-3 fatty acids (especially DHA), and decreased BSA-induced wing web swellings of progeny up to 4 wk of age.