Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Dose-Dependent Increase in Whole Blood Omega-3 Fatty Acid Concentration in Horses Receiving a Marine-Based Fatty-Acid Supplement.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of an oral, commercially available, marine based omega-3 fatty acid (n3-FA) supplement on fatty acid characteristics in horse whole blood. Fifty healthy, adult horses of various light breeds were assigned to one of two treatment groups: Group 1 receiving 7.5g/day of the test supplement, and Group 2 receiving 15g/day of the test supplement. The supplement contained 0.092g docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and 0.148g eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) per gram. Therefore, Group 1 received 1.11g of EPA and 0.69g of DHA daily, while Group 2 received 2.22g of EPA and 1.38g DHA daily. Blood was taken at time of enrollment and after 6 and 12 weeks of supplementation. Blood was subjected to gas chromatography to quantify the fatty acid characteristics of whole blood. At both 6 and 12 weeks following supplementation, there was a significant increase in all n3-FAs evaluated, including DHA and EPA, compared to baseline values, with Group 2 significantly increased compared to Group 1 at both time points. There was also a significant decrease in omega-6 fatty acids (n6-FAs) between baseline and 6 weeks of supplementation in both groups, with a larger decrease seen in Group 2. The dose-dependent increases in concentration of all n3-FAs evaluated at all-time points validates the use of this product as a n3-FA targeted supplement in horses. These findings also suggest that dose of supplement has a greater effect on increasing whole blood n3-FAs compared to duration of treatment.
Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2021-10-02 PubMed ID: 34800796DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103781Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This research studied the effect of a marine-based omega-3 fatty acid supplement given orally on the fatty acid profiles in horse blood. It demonstrated a dose-dependent rise of omega-3 fatty acids, emphasizing the supplement’s efficacy and the significance of dosage over treatment period.
Methodology and Groups
- Researchers enlisted 50 healthy adult horses from various light breeds for the study.
- The horses were divided into two groups. Group 1 was given 7.5g of the test supplement daily, while Group 2 received 15g daily.
- The supplement had 0.092g of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and 0.148g of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) per gram. That implied Group 1 got 1.11g of EPA and 0.69g of DHA each day, while Group 2 obtained 2.22g of EPA and 1.38g DHA daily.
Data Collection and Analysis
- Blood samples were taken at enrollment as a baseline, then after 6 weeks and 12 weeks of supplement administration.
- The blood samples underwent gas chromatography for the quantification of fatty acid characteristics present in the whole blood.
- The study focused on tracking changes in omega-3 fatty acids (n3-FAs), specifically DHA and EPA, and omega-6 fatty acids (n6-FAs).
Findings
- Both 6 and 12 weeks into supplementation, a significant rise in all n3-FAs was observed compared to baseline levels. This uptick was more remarkable in Group 2 (higher dosage) than in Group 1 at both time frames.
- Conversely, a notable reduction in n6-FAs was seen between the baseline and 6 weeks of supplementation in both groups, but more so in Group 2.
- The result signifies that the dosage of the supplement affects the concentration of n3-FAs more than the length of treatment.
Conclusion
- This study verifies the efficacy of the marine-based omega-3 fatty acid supplement for raising n3-FAs in the horses’ blood. It also accentuates the importance of correct dosage over the duration of treatment.
- As such, this product may be beneficial for equine healthcare and nutrition when aiming to increase n3-FAs intake.
Cite This Article
APA
Pearson G, Goodale M, Wakshlag J, Fortier L.
(2021).
Dose-Dependent Increase in Whole Blood Omega-3 Fatty Acid Concentration in Horses Receiving a Marine-Based Fatty-Acid Supplement.
J Equine Vet Sci, 108, 103781.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103781 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Cornell University College of Vet Med, VMC C3-181, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States.
- Cornell University College of Vet Med, VMC C3-181, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States.
- Cornell University College of Vet Med, VMC C3-181, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States.
- Cornell University College of Vet Med, VMC C3-181, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States. Electronic address: laf4@cornell.edu.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Dietary Supplements
- Docosahexaenoic Acids
- Eicosapentaenoic Acid
- Fatty Acids
- Fatty Acids, Omega-3
- Horses
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Fresa K, Catandi GD, Gonzalez-Castro R, Omar A, Whitcomb LA, Cheng MH, Chen TW, Carnevale EM, Chicco AJ. Impact of dietary essential fatty acids on phospholipid composition and mitochondrial function in aged mares. Sci Rep 2025 Dec 5;15(1):43295.
- Hartwig S, Rankovic A, McCrae P, Gagliardi K, Burron S, Ellis J, Ma DWL, Shoveller AK. The effects of a plant-based and a plant- and marine-based n-3 oil supplement on behavioral reactivity, heart rate variability, and plasma fatty acid profile in young healthy horses. J Anim Sci 2025 Jan 4;103.
- Hartwig S, Burron S, Richards T, Rankovic A, Ma DWL, Pearson W, Ellis J, Trevizan L, Seymour DJ, Shoveller AK. The effect of dietary camelina, flaxseed, and canola oil supplementation on skin fatty acid profile and immune and inflammatory responses in healthy adult horses. J Anim Sci 2025 Jan 4;103.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
