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Forms of n-3 (ALA, C18:3n-3 or DHA, C22:6n-3) Fatty Acids Affect Carcass Yield, Blood Lipids, Muscle n-3 Fatty Acids and Liver Gene Expression in Lambs

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Lipids

Abstract

The effects of supplementing diets with n-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on plasma metabolites, carcass yield, muscle n-3 fatty acids and liver messenger RNA (mRNA) in lambs were investigated. Lambs (n = 120) were stratified to 12 groups based on body weight (35 ± 3.1 kg), and within groups randomly allocated to four dietary treatments: basal diet (BAS), BAS with 10.7 % flaxseed supplement (Flax), BAS with 1.8 % algae supplement (DHA), BAS with Flax and DHA (FlaxDHA). Lambs were fed for 56 days. Blood samples were collected on day 0 and day 56, and plasma analysed for insulin and lipids. Lambs were slaughtered, and carcass traits measured. At 30 min and 24 h, liver and muscle samples, respectively, were collected for determination of mRNA (FADS1, FADS2, CPT1A, ACOX1) and fatty acid composition. Lambs fed Flax had higher plasma triacylglycerol, body weight, body fat and carcass yield compared with the BAS group (P < 0.001). DHA supplementation increased carcass yield and muscle DHA while lowering plasma insulin compared with the BAS diet (P < 0.01). Flax treatment increased (P < 0.001) muscle ALA concentration, while DHA treatment increased (P < 0.001) muscle DHA concentration. Liver mRNA FADS2 was higher and CPT1A lower in the DHA group (P < 0.05). The FlaxDHA diet had additive effects, including higher FADS1 and ACOX1 mRNA than for the Flax or DHA diet. In summary, supplementation with ALA or DHA modulated plasma metabolites, muscle DHA, body fat and liver gene expression differently.

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Abbreviations

ALA:

Alpha-linolenic acid

ACOX1:

Acyl-CoA oxidase 1

ANOVA:

Analysis of variance

cDNA:

Complementary DNA

CPT1A:

Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A

CT:

Critical threshold

CP:

Crude protein

DHA:

Docosahexaenoic acid

DEGS2:

Delta 4 desaturase

FADS1:

Delta 5 desaturase

FADS2:

Delta 6 desaturase

FID:

Flame ionisation detector

DM:

Dry matter

HOMA:

Homeostatic model assessment

LDL:

Low density lipoprotein

LL:

Longissimus lumborum

ME:

Metabolisable energy

mRNA:

Messenger RNA

NEFA:

Non-esterified fatty acid

n-3:

Omega-3

n-6:

Omega-6

PCR:

Polymerase chain reaction

PUFA:

Polyunsaturated fatty acid

QUICKI:

Quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index

SED:

Standard error of difference

TAG:

Triacylglycerol

USDA:

United States Department of Agriculture

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Acknowledgments

We thank Matthew Kerr, Athula Naththarampatha, Lysandra Slocombe and Greg Seymour for their technical assistance towards blood sample collection, slaughter of lambs, muscle sample collection and fatty acid analysis of meat. The co-operation of Kyneton abattoir management for the slaughter of lambs and muscle sample collection was greatly appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Agriculture Research and Development, DEDJTR, Melbourne, VIC, 3001, Australia

    Eric N. Ponnampalam, Viv F. Burnett, Tim Plozza & Joe L. Jacobs

  2. School of Medicine and Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC, 3216, Australia

    Paul A. Lewandowski

  3. Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia

    Eric N. Ponnampalam, Fahri T. Fahri, Frank R. Dunshea & Joe L. Jacobs

Authors
  1. Eric N. Ponnampalam
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  2. Paul A. Lewandowski
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Correspondence to Eric N. Ponnampalam.

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Financial support

The financial support for undertaking the experimental study, slaughter of lambs and the analytical work was provided by the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport & Resources (DEDJTR), Victoria, Australia.

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The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Ponnampalam, E.N., Lewandowski, P.A., Fahri, F.T. et al. Forms of n-3 (ALA, C18:3n-3 or DHA, C22:6n-3) Fatty Acids Affect Carcass Yield, Blood Lipids, Muscle n-3 Fatty Acids and Liver Gene Expression in Lambs. Lipids 50, 1133–1143 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-015-4070-4

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