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Differential Response to an Algae Supplement High in DHA Mediated by Maternal Periconceptional Diet: Intergenerational Effects of n-6 Fatty Acids

  • Original Article
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Lipids

Abstract

Algae high in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may provide a source of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCn-3PUFA) for inclusion in the diet of lambs to improve the LCn-3PUFA status of meat. The effect of background LCn-3PUFA status on the metabolism of high DHA algae is, however, unknown. The aim of the current study was to determine whether the response to a high in DHA algae supplement fed to lambs for six weeks prior to slaughter was mediated by a maternal periconceptional diet. Forty Poll Dorset × Border Leicester × Merino weaner lambs were allocated to receive either a ration based on oat grain, lupin grain, and chopped lucerne (control) or the control ration with DHA-Gold™ algae included at 1.92 % DM (Algae) based on whether the dams of lambs had previously been fed a diet high in n-3 or n-6 around conception. LCn-3PUFA concentration was determined in plasma and red blood cells (RBC) prior to and following feeding. The concentrations of EPA and DHA in the plasma and RBC of lambs receiving the control ration were significantly (p < 0.001) lower when lambs received the ration for 14 days compared with pre-feeding concentrations. The concentrations of EPA and DHA were also significantly (p < 0.001) higher when lambs consumed the Algae ration compared with the control ration for 42 days. The increase in EPA and DHA was, however, significantly (p < 0.05) lower if lamb dams had previously been fed a diet high in n-6 at conception. Assessing the previous nutrition and n-3 status of lambs may allow producers to more accurately predict the likely response to supplements high in LCn-3PUFA, particularly, DHA.

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Abbreviations

DHA:

Docosahexaenoic acid

EPA:

Eicosapentaenoic acid

FAME:

Fatty acid methyl esters

FID:

Flame ionisation detector

LoD:

Limit of detection

LCn-3PUFA:

Long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid

LCn-6PUFA:

Long-chain omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid

MUFA:

Monounsaturated fatty acids

RBC:

Red blood cells

SFA:

Saturated fatty acids

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Acknowledgments

We thank Craig Lihou, Greg Clark, Steven Huckell, Greg Nugent, Craig Rodham, and John Wilkins for technical assistance during the conduct of the ewe pen feeding study and Alex Doulman, Emma Hand, Bryanna Beattie, and Simone Vincent for assistance during lambing. We also thank Richard Meyer, Peter Hawkins, and Jamie Ayton for providing assistance with feed analysis and gas chromatography. The lambs used in the study were bred as part of a larger project funded by Meat and Livestock Australia. The current study was conducted without dedicated external funding. The study was supported by in-kind provision of equipment by the NSW DPI Feed Quality Service (FQS).

Conflict of interest

The authors do not have any other financial interests or potential conflicts of interest in connection with this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

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

    Edward H. Clayton & Kristy L. Bailes

  2. NSW Department of Primary Industries, Centre for Red Meat and Sheep Development, PO Box 129, Cowra, 27940, Australia

    Tracy A. Lamb, Gordon Refshauge, Matthew J. Kerr & David L. Hopkins

  3. Agriculture Research, Department of Environment and Primary Industries, Werribee, VIC, 3030, Australia

    Eric N. Ponnampalam

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

    Michael A. Friend

  5. Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, An Alliance Between NSW DPI and Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia

    Edward H. Clayton, Michael A. Friend & David L. Hopkins

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  1. Edward H. Clayton
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  2. Tracy A. Lamb
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  3. Gordon Refshauge
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  6. Eric N. Ponnampalam
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  8. David L. Hopkins
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Correspondence to Edward H. Clayton.

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Clayton, E.H., Lamb, T.A., Refshauge, G. et al. Differential Response to an Algae Supplement High in DHA Mediated by Maternal Periconceptional Diet: Intergenerational Effects of n-6 Fatty Acids. Lipids 49, 767–775 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-014-3926-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-014-3926-3

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