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Increased Prostaglandin Response to Oxytocin in Ewes Fed a Diet High in Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

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Lipids

Abstract

Diets high in omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6) are associated with increased prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) synthesis in cattle, however, the specific effects on the potential prostaglandin response to an oxytocin challenge in sheep have not been reported. The aim of the current study was to determine whether oxytocin-stimulated PGF2α was significantly increased when ewes were fed a diet high in n-6 compared with a control diet low in n-6. Merino x Border Leicester ewes (n = 30) received one of two dietary treatments, either high in n-6 (70 % oat grain) or low in n-6 (control diet, 100 % cereal/legume silage). Ewes consumed the diets for 44 days prior to two consecutive oxytocin challenges. Plasma n-6 and PGF2α metabolite (PGFM) concentrations following oxytocin challenge were greater (P < 0.05) when ewes were fed a diet high in n-6 compared with the control diet. A higher availability of n-6 may have lead to an increased in vivo synthesis of PGF2α, however, further research is required to determine the exact mechanisms involved.

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Abbreviations

ARA:

Arachidonic acid

AUC:

Area under the curve

EPA:

Eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5n-3)

FAME:

Fatty acid methyl esters

LoD:

Limit of detection

LoQ:

Limit of quantification

n-3:

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid

n-6:

Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid

MUFA:

Monounsaturated fatty acids

PGFM:

Prostaglandin metabolite 13,14-dihydro-15-keto PGF2α

SFA:

Saturated fatty acids

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Acknowledgements

We thank Greg Clark, Steven Huckell, Michael Loiterton, Rex Edis, Craig Rodham, the Gulliver family, Jessica Rose, John Broster, and a number of high school work experience students for technical assistance during the collection of samples for the study and Richard Meyer, Peter Hawkins and Jamie Ayton for expert advice regarding the analysis of samples. We also thank John Piltz for valuable contributions in drafting and editing of the manuscript. This study was supported with in-kind contributions of feed analyses from the NSW DPI Feed Quality Service and mineral supplements from AusFarm Nutrition Products. Catherine Gulliver was in receipt of stipends from the Australian Postgraduate Award scheme and the Future Farm Industries Cooperative Research Centre. The authors of this paper did not receive any external funding for the conduct of the study. 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. This study was conducted without dedicated external funding. This study was supported by in-kind provision of equipment by the Diagnostic and Analytical Systems division of NSW DPI.

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

    Catherine E. Gulliver, Michael A. Friend, Belinda J. King & Susan M. Robertson

  2. Co-operative Research Centre for Future Farm Industries, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia

    Catherine E. Gulliver, Michael A. Friend, Belinda J. King & Susan M. Robertson

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

    John F. Wilkins & Edward H. Clayton

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

    Catherine E. Gulliver, Michael A. Friend, Belinda J. King & Edward H. Clayton

Authors
  1. Catherine E. Gulliver
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  2. Michael A. Friend
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  3. Belinda J. King
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  4. Susan M. Robertson
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  5. John F. Wilkins
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  6. Edward H. Clayton
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Edward H. Clayton.

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Gulliver, C.E., Friend, M.A., King, B.J. et al. Increased Prostaglandin Response to Oxytocin in Ewes Fed a Diet High in Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids. Lipids 48, 177–183 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-012-3745-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-012-3745-3

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