Influence of Dietary n-6 and n-3 Polyunsaturates on Lipids in Chickens Divergently Selected for Body Weight

Abstract

The effects of dietary lipid sources rich in n-6 (soybean oil) or n-3 (menhaden oil) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on blood triacylglycerol levels and tissue fatty acid compositions in female chickens from two genetic lines were examined. Triacylglycerol concentrations in the plasma very low density and low density lipoprotein fractions were elevated in the low-weight (LW) chickens compared with the high-weight (HW) group. Chicken heterophil to lymphocyte ratios and total antibody titers to sheep red blood cells at 84 days were not influenced by genetic line or by the dietary lipid fed. Concentrations of C18:1 fatty acid isomers and total monounsaturates were highest in liver and heart tissues of HW chickens. Feeding menhaden oil enriched the plasma, liver, and heart with n-3 PUFA in both genetic lines. The data indicate a difference in hepatic fatty acid metabolism between the HW and LW lines that is unaffected by dietary n-6 or n-3 PUFA.