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Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition2023; 107(5); 1251-1261; doi: 10.1111/jpn.13828

Effect of dietary krill oil supplementation on horse red blood cell membrane fatty acid composition and blood parameters.

Abstract: Supplementation with marine-derived n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC PUFAs), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3) is linked to beneficial health effects in both humans and horses. Krill oil (KO), which is extracted from the Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), is well documented as a safe and biologically available dietary supplement in humans and several animal species, but there is a lack of documentation regarding its effect as a dietary ingredient for horses. The objective of this study was to test whether KO as a dietary supplement had the ability to raise horse red blood cell (RBC) membrane EPA and DHA, expressed as the n-3 index. Five nonworking Norwegian cold-blooded trotter horse geldings (body weight [BW]: 567 ± 38 kg) were supplemented with KO (10 mL/100 kg BW) for 35 days in a longitudinal study. Blood samples were analysed for RBC membrane fatty acid (FA) profile, haematology and serum biochemistry every 7th day. KO was well accepted by all horses, and no adverse health effects were observed during the 35-day trial period. KO supplementation affected the RBC membrane FA profile by increasing the n-3 index from Day 0 to 35 (Day 0: 0.53% vs. Day 35: 4.05% of total RBC FAs). The observed increase in the sum of EPA and DHA (p < 0.001), total n-3 FAs (p < 0.001) and the reduction of n-6 FAs (p < 0.044) resulted in a lower n-6:n-3 ratio (p < 0.001) by Day 35 of KO supplementation. In conclusion, the RBC n-3 index was increased and the general n-6:n-3 ratio was decreased in horses receiving 35-day dietary KO supplementation.
© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.
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Publication Date: 2023-05-05 PubMed ID: 37144326DOI: 10.1111/jpn.13828Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Clinical Trial
  • Veterinary
  • 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 investigates the impact of dietary krill oil supplementation on the composition of fatty acids in the red blood cell membranes of horses, as well as other blood parameters. It concludes that such supplementation can significantly increase beneficial n-3 fatty acids and decrease the ratio of harmful n-6 fatty acids.

Research Aim and Methodology

  • The aim of this research was to investigate whether krill oil supplementation could influence the red blood cell membrane composition of horses particularly by increasing the n-3 index, which represents the essential fatty acids EPA and DHA.
  • This study used five non-working Norwegian cold-blooded trotter horse geldings for the supplement trial, which lasted for 35 days.
  • The selected horses received 10 mL of krill oil per 100 kg of their body weight. Blood samples were then taken and analyzed weekly for changes in fatty acid profile, haematology and serum biochemistry.

Observations and Findings

  • The krill oil was well-accepted by all of the horses involved in the study and no negative health effects were observed as a result of the supplementation.
  • The research found that supplementation with krill oil significantly affected the horses’ red blood cell membrane fatty acid profile. Specifically, there was an increase in the n-3 index from Day 0 to Day 35.
  • This increase in the n-3 index represents a significant growth in the sum of DHA and EPA, both essential n-3 fatty acids. Simultaneously, there was a reduction of n-6 fatty acids, leading to a lower n-6:n-3 ratio, which is desirable for health.

Research Conclusions

  • The study concludes that dietary supplementation with krill oil can effectively increase the n-3 index and decrease the n-6:n-3 ratio in horses. This suggests the potential for beneficial health effects of krill oil supplementation.

Cite This Article

APA
Nyquist NF, Burri L, Jensen RB. (2023). Effect of dietary krill oil supplementation on horse red blood cell membrane fatty acid composition and blood parameters. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl), 107(5), 1251-1261. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.13828

Publication

Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition
ISSN: 1439-0396
NlmUniqueID: 101126979
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 107
Issue: 5
Pages: 1251-1261

Researcher Affiliations

Nyquist, Nicole Frost
  • Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
Burri, Lena
  • Aker BioMarine Antarctic AS, Lysaker, Norway.
Jensen, Rasmus Bovbjerg
  • Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Faculty of Bioscience, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Male
  • Cell Membrane
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids / pharmacology
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid
  • Euphausiacea / chemistry
  • Euphausiacea / metabolism
  • Fatty Acids
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / pharmacology
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / metabolism
  • Fish Oils
  • Horses
  • Longitudinal Studies

Grant Funding

  • Aker BioMarine Antarctic AS

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