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Lower Concentration of n-3 in the Red Blood Cells and Plasma of Lambs when their Dams were Fed a Diet High Compared with Low in n-6 Fatty Acids at Joining

  • Original Article
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Lipids

Abstract

Feeding ewes a diet high in n-6 in late gestation can affect fatty acid concentrations in the newborn lamb. The effect of feeding ewes a high n-6 diet prior to conception and in early gestation on lamb n-6 and n-3 status has not previously been examined. The aim of the current study was to determine whether the concentration of n-6 was higher and n-3 was lower in lamb red blood cells (RBC) and plasma when Merino dams were fed a diet high in n-6 either pre-conception only or both pre-conception and in early gestation. Dams were fed a diet low (silage) or high (oats/CSM) in n-6 for either 6 weeks pre-mating only or 6 weeks pre-mating and 17 days post-mating. The fatty acid status of lamb RBC and plasma was determined following birth and compared with dam fatty acids around parturition. The concentration of lamb RBC and plasma n-3 was lower (p < 0.05) when dams received the high n-6 compared with low-n-6 diet around mating, independent of the length of time of feeding. The concentration of n-3 in lamb plasma was also higher when lambs were assessed as being likely rather than unlikely to have suckled prior to blood collection. Lamb RBC and plasma n-3 fatty acids were lower when dams were fed the high compared with the low n-6 diet for only a short time around mating. Transfer of fatty acids via the placenta and milk may account for the differences.

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Abbreviations

ALA:

α-Linolenic acid (18:3n-3)

ARA:

Arachidonic acid (20:4n-6)

CSM:

Cottonseed meal

DHA:

Docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3)

DHASI:

DHA sufficiency index

EPA:

Eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3)

FAME:

Fatty acid methyl esters

MUFA:

Monounsaturated fatty acids

n-3:

n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acid

n-6:

n-6 Polyunsaturated fatty acid

PUFA:

Polyunsaturated fatty acids

RBC:

Red blood cells

SFA:

Saturated fatty acids

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Acknowledgments

We thank Craig Lihou, Patricia O’Keeffe, Greg Clark, Steven Huckell, Michael Loiterton, Craig Rodham, Brian Gaynor, John Moore, Greg Nugent, Natalie Bignell and Emma Hand for expert technical assistance during the conduct of the study. We also thank Richard Meyer, Peter Hawkins, Rebecca Penfold and Jamie Ayton for expert advice regarding lipid extraction and feed analysis, Alex Doulman for assistance with lamb observations and Catherine Gulliver for input into the planning phase of the study. The study was conducted with funding provided by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA). The authors have all contributed to the production of this manuscript. All contributed to the design and conduct of the study, data interpretation and drafting and editing of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. NSW Department of Primary Industries, Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute, Pine Gully Rd, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2650, Australia

    E. H. Clayton & J. F. Wilkins

  2. NSW Department of Primary Industries, Centre for Red Meat and Sheep Development, PO Box 129, Cowra, NSW, 2794, Australia

    G. Refshauge

  3. School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2678, Australia

    M. A. Friend

  4. Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (NSW DPI and Charles Sturt University), Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2678, Australia

    E. H. Clayton, J. F. Wilkins & M. A. Friend

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  1. E. H. Clayton
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  2. J. F. Wilkins
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  3. G. Refshauge
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  4. M. A. Friend
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Correspondence to E. H. Clayton.

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Clayton, E.H., Wilkins, J.F., Refshauge, G. et al. Lower Concentration of n-3 in the Red Blood Cells and Plasma of Lambs when their Dams were Fed a Diet High Compared with Low in n-6 Fatty Acids at Joining. Lipids 50, 883–893 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-015-4047-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-015-4047-3

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