Topic:Docosahexaenoic Acid
Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid found in various marine and plant sources that is incorporated into equine diets to support health and performance. In horses, DHA is associated with the modulation of inflammatory processes and may influence immune function. It is often included in equine nutrition to potentially support joint health, reproductive performance, and overall well-being. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that investigate the absorption, metabolism, and physiological effects of docosahexaenoic acid in horses, as well as its potential applications in equine dietary management.
The Effects of Various Levels of Docosahexaenoic Acid on Inflammatory Markers in Conditioned Horses During Lactate Threshold Tests. Exercise stimulates the release of inflammatory cytokines and supplementation with n-3 fatty acids reduces inflammation. The effects of different doses of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on inflammation in polo horses submitted to field lactate threshold tests (LT) were analyzed. We hypothesized that higher doses of DHA would reduce postexercise inflammation. Twenty polo horses were assigned to different treatments: control group fed (n = 5) grain and hay, 3 treatment groups (n = 5) fed 10, 20, or 50 g/day of DHA with grain and free choice hay during 60 days. Horses underwent LT tests before st...
Effect of feeding a DHA-enriched nutriceutical on the quality of fresh, cooled and frozen stallion semen. Eight stallions were used in 2 x 2 crossover study to determine if feeding a nutriceutical rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) would improve semen quality. Stallions were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups (n = 4 per group). Stallions were fed their normal diet (control) or their normal diet top-dressed with 250 g of a DHA-enriched nutriceutical. Feeding trials lasted for 14 week, after which a 14-week washout period was allowed and the treatment groups were reversed for another 14 week feeding trial. Feeding the nutriceutical resulted in a three-fold increase in semen DHA levels ...
Rat, caprine, equine and bovine erythrocyte ghosts exposed to t-butyl hydroperoxide as a model to study lipid peroxidation using a chemiluminescence assay. The aim of the present study was to analyze the time-course of t-butyl hydroperoxide-induced changes in lipid peroxidation, fatty acid composition and chemiluminescence intensity in rat, caprine, equine and bovine erythrocyte ghosts. A relatively high content of arachidonic acid (C20:4 n6) and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6 n3) was characteristic of the rat erythrocyte ghosts. The fatty acid composition of native erythrocyte ghosts obtained from caprine, equine and bovine was characterized by a high content of oleic acid (C18:1 n9) and a low content of the peroxidable polyunsaturated fatty acids ...