Including Fish Oil Research Articles

Effect of dietary combination of methionine and fish oil on cellular immunity and plasma fatty acids in infectious bursal disease challenged chickens.

This study was carried out to investigate the modulatory effects of dietary methionine and fish oil on immune response, plasma fatty acid profile, and blood parameters of infectious bursal disease (IBD) challenged broiler chickens. A total of 300 one-day-old male broiler chicks were assigned to one of six dietary treatment groups in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement. There were three levels of fish oil (0, 2.5 and 5.5%), and two levels of methionine (NRC recommendation and twice NRC recommendation). The results showed that the birds fed with 5.5% fish oil had higher total protein, white blood cell count, and IL-2 concentration than those of other groups at 7 days after IBD challenge. Inclusion of fish oil in diet had no effect on IFN-γ concentration. However, supplementation of methionine twice the recommendation enhanced the serum IFN-γ and globulin concentration. Neither of fish oil nor methionine supplementation affected the liver enzymes concentration. It can be suggested that a balance of moderate level of fish oil (2.5%) and methionine level (twice NRC recommendation) might enhance immune response in IBD challenged broiler chickens.

Dietary effect of fish oil and soybean lecithin on growth and survival of juvenileLitopenaeus vannameiin the presence or absence of phytoplankton in an indoor system

This study was conducted to evaluate whether phospholipids have the potential to reduce the level of dietary fish oil inclusion in shrimp feeds in the presence and absence of phytoplankton. To do so, weight gain of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei stocked at 80 shrimp m−2 fed different dietary levels of fish oil and soybean lecithin was determined. Six experimental 35% protein diets were formulated to contain 1%, 2% or 3% fish oil combined with either 1% or 4% soybean lecithin. Dietary effects were evaluated using a ‘clear-water culture system’ without the presence of microalgae in 40-L aquaria and a ‘green-water culture system’ in 1.9-MT tanks. After an 8-week feeding period, shrimp cultured in both systems and fed diets containing 4% soybean lecithin had greater weight gain than those fed 1%. Thus, diets supplemented with phospholipids improved the efficiency of lipid utilization for growth: diets containing 1% fish oil in combination with 4% soybean lecithin can be used as a cost-effective combination for commercial shrimp culture feeds. Weight gain in the green-water system was 1.5–1.7 times greater than that for shrimp reared under clear-water conditions, suggesting that phytoplankton contributes to shrimp growth through the continuous provision of nutrients.

Influence of fish oil in the concentration of conjugated linoleic acid and omega 6 and 3 in buffalo milk

The aim of this research work was to investigate the influence of fish oil supplementation on the concentration of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and omega 6 and 3 in samples of buffalo milk. A total of 24 female buffaloes separated at random into three groups were fed for 49 days with: natural pasture (group I), supplemented with 70mL of fish oil (group II) and 140mL of fish oil (group III). In the experiment the concentration of CLA showed differences (P<0.05) among the three groups, with a maximum of 7.14mg/g fat in group II. No significant differences were found in omega-6 among the three groups. The highest value of 3.82mg/g fat corresponded to group I, whicht had not been supplemented with fish oil. Significant differences were observed in omega 3 (P<0.05) in groups II and III with respect to group I. The highest average value of 2.42mg/g fat was obtained in group III. The closest relationship omega 6/3 (1.37:1) was observed in group III. As a result, the diets of groups II and III, which included fish oil, increased significantly the content of CLA and omega 3 with reductions in levels of omega 6.

Improving the survival, growth and hemolymph ion maintenance of early juvenile blue swimmer crabs, Portunus pelagicus, at hypo- and hyper-osmotic conditions through dietary long chain PUFA supplementation

Blue swimmer crab, Portunus pelagicus, juveniles are weak osmoregulators leading to reduced survival and growth outside salinities of 15–35‰. Therefore improving the performance of this commercially important crab at sub-optimal salinities through diet manipulation will likely benefit the aquaculture industry. The aim of the current experiment was to determine whether increased dietary LC-PUFA, in the form of fish oil, could improve the survival, growth and hemolymph ion maintenance of early P. pelagicus juveniles at salinities of 14, 30 and 42‰. Crabs were fed five diets containing 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12% fish oil inclusion levels (% dry diet weight) and their survival and growth were measured over 20days. After 20days, the hemolymph Na+, K+ and Ca2+ levels of the crabs were measured. Seven replicates, with three crabs in each replicate, were used in each salinity/dietary treatment (total of 315 crabs). Results showed diets containing 0% fish oil inclusion led to the lowest survival in all salinities, although this was only significant (p<0.05) for the crabs cultured at a high salinity of 42‰. Further, a salinity of 42‰ generally caused lower growth, compared to 14 and 30‰, however the highest fish oil inclusion level of 12% (or 3.73% LC-PUFA) caused no significant growth or development difference (p>0.05) compared with those fed the same diet but at a salinity of 30‰. Between salinities of 14 and 30‰, no significant growth difference was detected although the growth benefit to increased dietary LC-PUFA at 14‰ was more obvious than at 30‰. Meanwhile, at salinities of 14 and 42‰, hemolymph Na+ regulation was significantly improved through dietary LC-PUFA supplementation, indicating that LC-PUFA is an essential nutrient for undisrupted ion-regulation. These findings indicate that the productivity of P. pelagicus juveniles may be increased at sub-optimal salinities through dietary LC-PUFA supplementation, which may be linked with improved hemolymph ion maintenance.

Effect of supplementation of fish and canola oil in the diet on milk Fatty Acid composition in early lactating holstein cows.

This study examined the effects of supplementation of fish oil and canola oil in the diet on milk yield, milk components and fatty acid composition of Holstein dairy cows in early lactation. Eight multiparous early lactation Holstein cows (42±12 DIM, 40±6 kg daily milk yield) were fed a total mixed ration supplemented with either 0% oil (Control), 2% fish oil (FO), 1% canola oil +1% fish oil (FOCO), or 2% canola oil (CO) according to a double 4×4 Latin square design. Each period lasted 3 wk; experimental analyses were restricted to the last week of each period. Supplemental oils were added to a basal diet which was formulated according to NRC (2001) and consisted of 20% alfalfa, 20% corn silage and 60% concentrate. Milk yield was similar between diets (p>0.05), but dry matter intake (DMI) was lower (p<0.05) in cows fed FO diet compared to other diets. Milk fat percentage and daily yield decreased (p<0.01) with the supplementation of fish and canola oil. The daily yield and percentage of milk protein, lactose and solids-not-fat (SNF) were not affected by diets (p>0.05). The proportion (g/100 g fatty acids) of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) decreased and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) increased (p<0.05) in milk of all cows fed diets supplemented with oil. The proportions of 6:0, 8:0, 10:0 12:0 and 14:0 fatty acids in milk fat decreased (p<0.01) for all diets supplemented with oil, but the proportions of 14:1, 16:0 and 16:1 fatty acids were not affected by diets (p>0.05). The proportion of trans(t)-18:1 increased (p<0.01) in milk fat of cows fed FO and FOCO diets, but CO diet had the highest proportion of cis(c)-11 18:1 (p<0.01). The concentration of t-10, c-12 18:2, c-9 t-11 18:2, 18:3, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6) increased (p<0.05) in FO and FOCO diets in comparison with the other two diets. These data indicate that including fish oil in combination with canola oil significantly modifies the fatty acid composition of milk.

Effect of dietary fish oil on n-3 fatty acid content of meat from broiler chickens fed low protein diets

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of dietary fish oil and crude protein (CP) levels on fatty acid composition of the thigh and breast tissues of broiler chickens. Four hundred and fifty, 1-day-old mixed-sex broiler chicks were used in a completely randomised design with factorial arrangement consisting of two dietary CP levels (21 v. 18.0% and 19 v. 17.1% for grower and finisher diets, respectively), and three levels of fish oil inclusion (0, 2 or 4%). Specific increases in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20 : 5) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22 : 6) were observed in breast and thigh tissues as a response to increased fish oil supplementation. The n-6 : n-3 fatty acid ratio in breast and thigh meat samples decreased (P &lt; 0.05) in birds fed low protein diets, but dietary protein level led to no alteration in the total n-3 fatty acids of the tissues (P &gt; 0.05). Thigh tissue of chickens fed low protein diets had a higher concentration of DHA (P &lt; 0.05), while the DHA and EPA concentrations in breast tissue were not affected by dietary protein level (P &gt; 0.05). Results of the present study showed that fish oil can be used to fortify EPA and DHA levels in chicken meat and there is an interaction between dietary fatty acids and protein level on meat oxidative stability, and a reduction in dietary protein level may lead to a better oxidative stability of chicken meat.

A national census of medicines use: a 24‐hour snapshot of Australians aged 50 years and older

To explore the current use of conventional and complementary medicines in Australians aged ≥50years. Cross-sectional postal survey sent to a random sample of 4500Australians aged ≥50years between June 2009and February 2010. Prevalence of medicines use, reasons for medicines use and sources of medicines. Response rate was 37.3%. Medicines use was very common; 87.1% of participants took one or more medicines and 43.3% took five or more in the previous 24hours. Complementary medicines were used by 46.3% of participants, 87.4% of whom used both conventional and complementary medicines. The most commonly used medicines were antihypertensive agents (43.2% of participants), natural marine and animal products including fish oil and glucosamine (32.4%) and lipid-lowering agents (30.4%). Doctors recommended 79.3% of all medicines and 93.0% of conventional medicines. Pharmacists commonly recommended occasional medicines (ie, as needed), while friends, family and media most often influenced use of complementary medicines. The use of multiple medicines is common and higher than reported in the 1995National Health Survey. Today, much medicines use is to prevent future disease by influencing risk factors. High levels of polypharmacy highlight the need to support the safe and effective use of medicines in the community. Although doctors recommend or prescribe most medicines, self-directed medication use is common. This highlights the need for consumer access to accurate information and strategies to improve health literacy about medicines.

Effects of conjugated linoleic acid, fish oil and soybean oil on PPARs (α & γ) mRNA expression in broiler chickens and their relation to body fat deposits.

An experiment was conducted on broiler chickens to study the effects of different dietary fats (Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), fish oil, soybean oil, or their mixtures, as well as palm oil, as a more saturated fat), with a as fed dose of 7% for single fat and 3.5 + 3.5% for the mixtures, on Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPARs) gene expression and its relation with body fat deposits. The CLA used in this experiment was CLA LUTA60 which contained 60% CLA, so 7% and 3.5% dietary inclusions of CLA LUTA60 were equal to 4.2% and 2.1% CLA, respectively. Higher abdominal fat pad was found in broiler chickens fed with a diet containing palm oil compared to chickens in the other experimental groups (P ≤ 0.05). The diets containing CLA resulted in an increased fat deposition in the liver of broiler chickens (P ≤ 0.05). The only exception was related to the birds fed with diets containing palm oil or fish oil + soybean oil, where contents of liver fat were compared to the CLA + fish oil treatment. PPARγ gene in adipose tissue of chickens fed with palm oil diet was up-regulated compared to other treatments (P ≤ 0.001), whereas no significant differences were found in adipose PPARγ gene expression between chickens fed with diets containing CLA, fish oil, soybean oil or the mixture of these fats. On the other hand, the PPARα gene expression in liver tissue was up-regulated in response to the dietary fish oil inclusion and the differences were also significant for both fish oil and CLA + fish oil diets compared to the diets with palm oil, soybean oil or CLA as the only oil source (P ≤ 0.001). In conclusion, the results of present study showed that there was a relationship between the adipose PPARγ gene up-regulation and abdominal fat pad deposition for birds fed with palm oil diet, while no deference was detected in n-3 and n-6 fatty acids, as well as CLA on PPARγ down regulation in comparison to a more saturated fat. When used on its own, fish oil was found to be a more effective fat in up-regulating hepatic PPARα gene expression and this effect was related to a less fat deposition in liver tissue. A negative correlation coefficient (−0.3) between PPARα relative gene expression and liver tissue fat content confirm the anti-lipogenic effect of PPARα, however, the change in these parameters was not completely parallel.

Vasoprotection by Dietary Supplements and Exercise: Role of TNFαSignaling

Vascular dysfunction contributes to the pathogenesis of various cardiovascular diseases. Dietary supplements, including fish oil, dietary fibers, and various natural products, and exercise training exert vasoprotective effects. However, the mechanisms underlying the vasoprotective benefits of dietary supplements and physical activity demand extensive investigation. Accumulating evidence suggests that inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) plays a pivotal role in the dysregulation of macrovascular and microvascular function. TNFα induces vascular inflammation, monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells, vascular oxidative stress, apoptosis, and atherogenic response and participates in the regulation of thrombosis and coagulation through multiple signaling pathways involving NFκB, Sp1, activator protein 1, JNK, p38, STAT3, and so forth. Dietary supplements and exercise training decrease TNFα production and ameliorate TNFα-mediated pathological changes in vasculature. Thus, the inhibitory effects of dietary supplements and physical exercise on TNFα production and TNFα signaling may contribute to their vasoprotective properties.

Abstract P174: Omega-3 Index: An Independent Predictor of 1 Year All-Cause Mortality in Myocardial Infarction (MI) Patients

Introduction: The omega-3 index, which reflects the red cell membrane content of eicosapentaenoic acid plus docosahexaenoic acid, has been recently suggested as a modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. Case control studies showed that lower omega-3 fatty acid levels are associated with a higher risk of sudden cardiac death, acute coronary syndrome and myocardial infarction (MI). A cut-off point of 4% has been suggested as the point below which the risk increases. However, the prognostic value of the omega-3 index in the setting of acute MI is unknown. Methods: Baseline omega-3 index levels were measured in patients enrolled in a prospective, 24-center MI registry (TRIUMPH). One-year mortality data were collected. Cox proportional hazards regression models of 1-year mortality were developed to determine the association of an omega-3 index level &lt;4% with mortality, independent of other clinically important demographic and clinical factors (Figure). Results: Among 1424 MI patients who had their baseline omega-3 index levels measured, the mean (SD) age was 59.1(12.4), 45.2% (644) had an admission diagnosis of ST-elevation MI, and 27% (387) had an omega-3 index level &lt;4%. Overall 1-year mortality was 5.6% (80/ 1424). In the fully-adjusted model, an omega-3 index of &lt;4% was independently associated with mortality at 1 year (hazard ratio = 2.0 [95% CI (1.2, 3.3)]; Figure) Conclusion: Lower omega-3 fatty acid levels were independently associated with all-cause mortality in this MI cohort. Since omega-3 levels are modifiable, use of the omega-3 index to direct secondary preventive measures, including fish oil supplementation, may prove beneficial in the post-MI population.

Influence of dietary fish oil supplementation on humoral immune response and some selected biochemical parameters of broiler chickens

Influence of dietary fish oil supplementation on humoral immune response and some selected biochemical parameters of broiler chickensThe objective of this experiment was to evaluate the influence of fish oil (FO) supplementation in the diet of broiler chickens on the humoral immune response as well as some blood parameters. Two hundred and sixteen one day old broiler chickens were divided into four dietary groups 0, 1, 2, or 4% FO with 3 replicates of 18 birds. Four chicks randomly selected and marked from each replicate were immunized intramuscularly with 0.2 ml of 5% sheep red blood cells (SRBC) as a non-infectious antigen, at the ages of 15 and 35 days and blood samples were taken 7 days after each immunization. The highest BW was observed in the 2% FO dietary group (T3), followed by T2 (P&lt;0.01). The serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels significantly decreased in the FO groups at the age of 42 days (P&lt;0.01). In addition, the inclusion of FO in broiler diets significantly increased the blood glucose (G) level and decreased the total protein (TP), albumin (A) and globulin (GL) concentrations. Fish oil-treated birds had significantly more serum antibody (predominantly immunoglobulin M, IgM) to SRBC than the control group. The highest response to primary and secondary injections of SRBC after 7 days, were detected for group 4 (4% FO), followed by 2% FO group (P&lt;0.05). The results indicate that the addition of 2 % FO to broiler chick's diet may stimulate the development of the immune response and improve blood indices, while 4% level was not recommended because of probable off-flavours in the product.

Preparation and properties of probiotic concentrated yoghurt (labneh) fortified with conjugated linoleic acid

SummaryMilk of high conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) level (1.25 g per 100 g milk fat) was produced by inclusion of fish oil and rousted soy bean in the ration of Holstein cows as compared to 0.55 g per 100 g milk fat in the milk of animals receiving control diet. Milk of normal (control) and high CLA content (treatment) was spray‐dried. Labneh was made from 20 g L−1 reconstituted milk using 3 mL per 100 mL yoghurt starter and 2 mL per 100 mL of probiotic cultures of Lactobacillus casei or Lactobacillus acidophilus. The control (C) and high CLA (T) labneh were analysed chemically and microbiologically, and their viscosities were determined during cold storage for 15 days. The fat content of labneh of high CLA was less than that of the control, but the total solids (TS) were unaffected by the CLA level. Labneh made with Lb. acidophilus had lower TS and higher acidity, exopolysaccharides and acetaldehyde contents and viscosity than that made with the use of Lb. casei. Labneh from the different treatments retained high counts of the added probiotic (&gt;108 cfu g−1) throughout the storage period. The storage period had significant effects on all parameters determined.

Toxicokinetics and carry-over model of α-hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) from feed to consumption-sized Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

A two-compartmental model for the kinetics of carry-over of the brominated flame retardant α-hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) from feed to the fillet of farmed harvest-sized Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) was developed. The model is based on a fat compartment for storage of the lipophilic α-HBCD and a central compartment comprising all other tissues. Specific for this model is that the salmon has a continuous growth and that fillet contaminant levels are explained by both the fat and the central compartments. The uptake and elimination kinetics are obtained from experimental data where consumer sized (start weight approximately 1 kg) Atlantic salmon was fed α-HBCD spiked feed (280 ± 11 µg kg−1) for 2 months followed by a depuration period of 3 months. The model was used to simulate the HBCD feed-to-fillet transfer in Atlantic salmon under realistic farming conditions such as the seasonal fluctuations in feed intake, growth and fillet fat deposition. The model predictions gave fillet concentrations of 0.2–1.8 µg kg−1 depending on the level of fish oil inclusion in the salmon diets when using fish oil with high POP background levels. Model simulations show that currently farmed Atlantic salmon can contribute to a maximum of 6% of the estimated provisional food reference dose for HBCD.

Effect of linseed oil and fish oil alone or as an equal mixture on ruminal fatty acid metabolism in growing steers fed maize silage-based diets1

Because of the potential benefits to human health, there is interest in increasing 18:3n-3, 20:5n-3, 22:6n-6, and cis-9,trans-11 CLA in ruminant foods. Four Aberdeen Angus steers (406 ± 8.2 kg of BW) fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square experiment with 21-d periods to examine the potential of fish oil (FO) and linseed oil (LO) in the diet to increase ruminal outflow of trans-11 18:1 and total n-3 PUFA in growing cattle. Treatments consisted of a control diet (60:40; forage:concentrate ratio, on a DM basis, respectively) based on maize silage, or the same basal ration containing 30 g/kg of DM of FO, LO, or a mixture (1:1, wt/wt) of FO and LO (LFO). Diets were offered as total mixed rations and fed at a rate of 85 g of DM/(kg of BW(0.75)/d). Oils had no effect (P = 0.52) on DMI. Linseed oil had no effect (P > 0.05) on ruminal pH or VFA concentrations, whereas FO shifted rumen fermentation toward propionate at the expense of acetate. Compared with the control, LO increased (P < 0.05) 18:0, cis 18:1 (Δ9, 12-15), trans 18:1 (Δ4-9, 11-16), trans 18:2, geometric isomers of 9,11, 11,13, and 13,15 CLA, trans-8,cis-10 CLA, trans-10,trans-12 CLA, trans-12,trans-14 CLA, and 18:3n-3 flow at the duodenum. Inclusion of FO in the diet resulted in greater (P < 0.05) flows of cis-9 16:1, trans 16:1 (Δ6-13), cis 18:1 (Δ9, 11, and 13), trans 18:1 (Δ6-15), trans 18:2, 20:5n-3, 22:5n-3, and 22:6n-3, and decreased (P < 0.001) 18:0 at the duodenum relative to the control. For most fatty acids at the duodenum, responses to LFO were intermediate of FO and LO. However, LFO resulted in greater (P = 0.04) flows of total trans 18:1 than LO and increased (P < 0.01) trans-6 16:1 and trans-12 18:1 at the duodenum compared with FO or LO. Biohydrogenation of cis-9 18:1 and 18:2n-6 in the rumen was independent of treatment, but both FO and LO increased (P < 0.001) the extent of 18:3n-3 biohydrogenation compared with the control. Ruminal 18:3n-3 biohydrogenation was greater (P < 0.001) for LO and LFO than FO, whereas biohydrogenation of 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3 in the rumen was marginally less (P = 0.05) for LFO than FO. In conclusion, LO and FO at 30 g/kg of DM altered the biohydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acids in the rumen, causing an increase in the flow of specific intermediates at the duodenum, but the potential of these oils fed alone or as a mixture to increase n-3 PUFA at the duodenum in cattle appears limited.

Replacing the Saturated Fat in a Western Diet with Fish Oil Affects Body Composition Positively

The inclusion of fish oil (FO) in the diet minimizes fat accretion in rats fed either a high fat or a high sucrose diet. However, little is known about the effects of FO on whole body composition (total fat mass, lean mass, and bone mineral density [BMD]) in rats fed a typical western diet that is high in saturated fat, sucrose and sodium. PURPOSE: To characterize the effects of incorporating FO into a typical western diet on body composition as determined by dual energy x-ray absorptiometery (DEXA) in growing rats. METHODS: 11-12wk old male Sprague-Dawley rats (384.1+14.5g, mean+SD) were placed individually into metabolic cages for 24h to quantify food intake. Following this, baseline body composition measures were made on lightly anesthetized rats via DEXA. Animals were then randomly assigned to either a western diet (WD, n=9), or the same diet with FO (n=10) as the fat source. All baseline measurements were repeated after 6wk of treatment. RESULTS: 24h food intake was significantly greater (p<0.04) on the WD compared to FO (WD = 18.09+1.4 g/d; FO = 14.29+3.9 g/d; mean+SD). There was no significant difference between groups for total body mass gained (FO +218.8+25.4g; WD +213.8+37.6g, p>0.05). However, FO gained significantly more lean mass compared to WD (FO = +119.9+10.4g; WD = +102.4+17.5g, p<0.05). FO also gained a significantly greater BMD compared to WD (FO = +0.0360+0.01 g/cm2; WD = +0.0290+0.003 g/cm2, p<0.01). Total fat mass gained was not significantly different (FO = +96.6+20.7g; WD = +105.9+30.2g, p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Replacing the saturated fat in a WD with FO significantly increases lean mass and BMD accretion in rats.

The effects of dietary long-chain essential fatty acids on growth and stress tolerance in pikeperch larvae (Sander lucioperca L.)

The nutritional requirements of pikeperch larvae have been sparsely examined. Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids, arachidonic acid (ARA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may affect growth and physiological stress response in marine fish larvae, but these mechanisms have not received as much attention in freshwater fish. Pikeperch larvae were reared on Artemia from day 3 until 21 days posthatch. Artemia were enriched with six formulated emulsions, with inclusion of either fish oil, pure olive oil (POO) or olive oil supplemented with various combinations of ARA, EPA and DHA. Larval tissue FA was significantly related to the content in the diets, but larval growth was similar for all treatments. When exposed to stress by confinement in small tanks with culture tank water or saline water (15 g L−1.), mortality in larvae treated with POO was significantly higher than in the remaining treatments while tissue cortisol contents in these fish seemed lower. The findings of a lower stress response in larvae fed POO may be related to the lower tissue content in these larvae of essential fatty acids especially DHA but also EPA and ARA.

Influence of oils on the Taihe Silky Fowl production performances and fatty acids composition of the meat*

Focus on the enrichment of eggs and poultry meat with polyunsaturated fatty acids has increased given their important roles in the human health. The inclusion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (especially n-3 fatty acids, n-3 FA) is achieved by different biological methods. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of inclusion of different oils into the feed on the production performances and fatty acids composition of the meat in Taihe Silky Fowl. A total of 80 fowls were selected at 8 weeks and randomly divided into four groups and fed with basal diet, basal diet + 4% fish oil, basal diet + 4% soybean oil and basal diet + 4% palm oil within 3 weeks respectively. The results showed that: the fowls fed with the diet inclusion of 4% fish oil had higher total gain, average daily gain, the second and the third week average daily gain than those in control group (p< 0.05). Also, inclusion of fish oil could improve the content of C22:5 n-3 and C22:6 n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the meat significantly compared with the other three groups (p < 0.01). Meanwhile, C18:3 n-3 and C18:4 n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids were also higher than in the other three groups (p< 0.05 and 0.01). Oils Supplementation could enhance C14:0 and C16:0 (p< 0.05) level, but they did not affect the total saturated fatty acids in the meat. Compared with the control group, fish oil inclusion could lower the C18:2 n-6 level, higher the C18:3 n-6, C22:4 n-6 and C22:5 n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the meat (p < 0.05). Moreover, diets supplied with 4% fish oil reduced the total n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids level and enhanced the total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids level in the meat, which resulted in that the ratio of n-3/n-6 was improved, and could meet the need of human body.

Effect of dietary supplementation with fish oil during the transition period on milk production, plasma metabolites and postpartum anoestrus interval in grazing dairy cows

Inclusion of fish oil (FO) in the diet of dairy cows could improve the energy status and milk yield and reduce the interval from calving to first postpartum ovulation, but the effects may differ depending on the specific period of supplementation. To test these hypotheses, 28 pregnant Holstein heifers were randomly assigned to four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial design: prepartum oral drench of FO (0 or 140 g/cow.day) for 21 days before calving, and/or postpartum oral drench of FO (0 or 190 g/cow.day) for 21 days after calving. Prepartum, heifers grazed in native pastures with supplements of wheat silage and wheat bran, while postpartum, cows grazed on improved pastures with addition of concentrates and corn silage. No interaction between prepartum and postpartum FO was detected for any variable analysed. Prepartum and postpartum total DM intake, milk yield, protein yield and percentage were not different among treatments. Milk fat percentage (3.83 versus 3.34 ± 0.10%) and yield (0.88 versus 0.73 ± 0.04 kg/day) decreased with postpartum FO but were not affected by prepartum FO. Prepartum and postpartum body condition score and plasma concentration of non-esterified fatty acids and cholesterol were not different among treatments, but urea concentration was higher in cows drenched with FO during prepartum (5.91 versus 4.64 ± 0.35 mM). Proportion of cows that ovulated the dominant follicle of the first postpartum wave and days to first postpartum ovulation, as determined by ovarian ultrasonography, were not affected by drenching with FO, but size of the dominant follicle in the first wave was decreased when FO was drenched only during the pre- or postpartum period compared with drenching in both periods. Dietary supplementation with FO during the postpartum period affected milk fat synthesis but more research is needed to establish its effects on resumption of ovarian activity in grazing dairy cows.

Effect of dietary seaweed extracts and fish oil supplementation in sows on performance, intestinal microflora, intestinal morphology, volatile fatty acid concentrations and immune status of weaned pigs

A 2x2 factorial experiment (ten sows per treatment) was conducted to investigate the effect of maternal dietary supplementation with a seaweed extract (SWE; 0 v. 10·0 g/d) and fish oil (FO; 0 v. 100 g/d) inclusion from day 109 of gestation until weaning (day 26) on pig performance post-weaning (PW) and intestinal morphology, selected microflora and immune status of pigs 9 d PW. The SWE contained laminarin (10 %), fucoidan (8 %) and ash (82 %) and the FO contained 40 % EPA and 25 % DHA. Pigs weaned from SWE-supplemented sows had higher daily gain (P=0·063) between days 0 and 21 PW and pigs weaned from FO-supplemented sows had higher daily gain (P<0·05) and gain to feed ratio (P<0·01) between days 7 and 14 PW. There was an interaction between maternal SWE and FO supplementation on caecal Escherichia coli numbers (P<0·05) and the villous height to crypt depth ratio in the ileum (P<0·01) and jejunum (P<0·05) in pigs 9 d PW. Pigs weaned from SWE-supplemented sows had lower caecal E. coli and a higher villous height to crypt depth ratio in the ileum and jejunum compared with non-SWE-supplemented sows (P<0·05). There was no effect of SWE on E. coli numbers and villous height to crypt depth ratio with FO inclusion. Maternal FO supplementation induced an increase in colonic mRNA abundance of IL-1α and IL-6 (P<0·05), while SWE supplementation induced an increase in ileal TNF-α (P<0·01) and colonic TFF3 mRNA expression (P<0·05). In conclusion, these results demonstrate that SWE and FO supplementation to the maternal diet influenced the gastrointestinal environment and performance of the weaned pig.

Effect of fish oil and sunflower oil on rumen fermentation characteristics and fatty acid composition of digesta in ewes fed a high concentrate diet

Studies in ruminants have shown that supplementing the diet with a mixture of fish oil (FO) and sunflower oil (SO) enhances the concentration of cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), 20:5 n-3, and 22:6 n-3 in milk because of alterations in ruminal biohydrogenation, but the intermediates formed under these conditions are not well characterized. Five ewes fitted with rumen cannula and fed a high concentrate diet were used to examine the effect of a mixture (30g/kg of DM) of FO and SO (1:2, wt/wt) on temporal changes in rumen fermentation characteristics and the relative abundance of biohydrogenation intermediates in ruminal digesta collected after 0, 3, and 10 d on diet. Appearance and identification of biohydrogenation intermediates was determined based on complementary gas-liquid chromatography and Ag+-HPLC analysis of fatty acid methyl esters and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of corresponding 4,4-dimethyloxazoline derivatives. Inclusion of FO and SO in the diet had no effect on rumen pH, volatile fatty acid concentrations, or nutrient digestion, but altered the fatty acid composition of ruminal digesta, changes that were characterized by time-dependent decreases in 18:0 and 18:2 n-6 and the accumulation of trans 16:1, trans 18:1, 10-O-18:0, and trans 18:2. Lipid supplements enhanced the proportion of 20:5 n-3 and 22:6 n-3 in digesta and resulted in numerical increases in cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid concentrations, but decreased the relative abundance of trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid. Furthermore, detailed analysis revealed the appearance of several unique 20:1, 20:2, 22:1, 22:3, and 22:4 products in ruminal digesta that accumulated over time, providing the first indications of 20 and 22 carbon fatty acid intermediates formed during the biohydrogenation of long-chain unsaturated fatty acids in sheep. In conclusion, FO and SO in a high concentrate diet caused a time-dependent inhibition of the complete biohydrogenation of 16 and 18 carbon unsaturated fatty acids, and resulted in the accumulation of trans 16:1, trans 18:1, and trans 18:2, 20, and 22 carbon metabolites in ruminal digesta of sheep, with no evidence of a shift in ruminal biohydrogenation pathways toward trans-10 18:1 formation.