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Influence of dietary n -3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on milk fat composition and performance of lactating Friesland ewes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2017

S. Chikunya
Affiliation:
Animal Science Research Centre, Harper Adams University College, Edgmond, Newport, Shropshire, TF10 8NB, UK
L. A. Sinclair
Affiliation:
Animal Science Research Centre, Harper Adams University College, Edgmond, Newport, Shropshire, TF10 8NB, UK
R. G. Wilkinson
Affiliation:
Animal Science Research Centre, Harper Adams University College, Edgmond, Newport, Shropshire, TF10 8NB, UK
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Extract

The health benefits of n -3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) to humans are now widely recognised. Polyunsaturated fatty acids of the n -3 series such as a-linolenic acid (C18:3n -3), eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5n -3; EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n -3; DHA) reduce the risk of coronary heart diseases (Department of Health, 1994). CLA has a diverse array of potential beneficial health effects which include anticarcinogenesis, antiatherogenesis, immune system modulation, antidiabetic effects and reduction of body fat accretion (Bessa et al., 2000). However, the consumption of both n -3 PUFA and CLA by humans is currently less than optimal. The current study investigates the extent to which n -3 PUFA and CLA in milk fat of lactating ewes may be enhanced by feeding diets rich in EPA and DHA.

Type
Theatre Presentations
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2002

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References

Department of Health (1994). Nutritional aspects of cardiovascular diseases. In: Reports on Health and Social Subjects No. 46. HMSO, London, UKGoogle Scholar
Bessa, R. J. B., Santos-Silva, J., Ribeiro, J. M. R. and Portugal, A. V. (2000). Reticulo-rumen biohydrogenation and the enrichment of ruminant edible products with linoleic acid conjugated isomers. Livestock Prod. Science 63:201211.Google Scholar