Effect of dietary supplementation with long-chain n-3 fatty acids during late gestation and early lactation on mare and foal plasma fatty acid composition, milk fatty acid composition, and mare reproductive variables.
Abstract: The effects of dietary marine-derived n-3 fatty acids (FA) on mare milk and mare and foal plasma FA, postpartum ovarian follicular growth and prostaglandin concentrations were evaluated. Sixty days prior to expected foaling dates, mares were assigned to one of three diets: corn oil (CORN, n = 6), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) diet (D; 12.64 g/d, n = 7), or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA (ED; 8.84 g EPA, 10.43 g DHA/d, n = 7). Milk and plasma were collected for FA analysis. Follicular data were recorded through the first postpartum ovulation. Post-ovulation serial blood samples were evaluated for prostaglandin F2α metabolite (PGFM). Supplementation with DHA, or DHA plus EPA resulted in lower linoleic acid and greater EPA and DHA in mare plasma (P < 0.05), greater arachidonic acid and DHA, or EPA and DHA in milk (P < 0.05), and greater DHA, or EPA and DHA in foal plasma (P < 0.05). Days to the first postpartum ovulation was greater (P < 0.01) in ED (22.5 ± 2.1) compared to CORN (12.5 ± 2.3) and D (13.3 ± 2.3) groups. Follicular retention (≥35 mm) prior to ovulation was longer (P < 0.05) for ED (12.7 ± 1.9 d) compared to CORN (6.3 ± 2.0 d) or D (6.0 ± 2.0 d) groups. Treatment did not affect PGFM concentrations. Maternal EPA and DHA supplementation beginning in late gestation altered the FA profile of milk and mare and foal plasma, and may result in delayed ovulation in the early postpartum period.
Published by Elsevier B.V.
Publication Date: 2019-02-13 PubMed ID: 30803694DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2019.02.005Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research tests the impact of dietary marine-derived n-3 fatty acids on the composition of horse and foal plasma and milk was examined and it is found that dietary supplementation of certain fatty acids can have an effect on the reproductive cycles in mares and fatty acid composition in both the mothers and their offspring.
Research Outline
The researchers conducted an experiment with mares (female horses) to evaluate the effects of three different types of diet:
- The corn oil diet (CORN)
- The docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) diet
- The diet containing both eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA
Methodology and Data Collection
These diets were assigned to the mares 60 days before their expected foaling dates. The researchers collected milk and plasma for analysis of fatty acids. They also recorded data about the size and growth of ovarian follicles after birth until the mares’ first post-birth ovulation. They also examined blood samples post-ovulation for a substance called prostaglandin F metabolite (PGFM), which is related to the ovulation process.
Results and Observations
Supplementation with DHA, either alone or with EPA, had several effects on the mares:
- It led the mares to have lower levels of a fatty acid known as linoleic acid in their plasma, and higher levels of EPA and DHA (compared to the corn oil diet).
- It resulted in higher levels of arachidonic acid and either DHA or EPA and DHA in the milk of the mares.
- It increased the levels of DHA or both EPA and DHA in foal plasma.
The research didn’t find any significant effect on the concentration of PGFM.
Effects on Reproduction
The study also discovered impacts on the mares’ reproductive cycles:
- The diet containing both EPA and DHA delayed the first ovulation after birth compared to the corn oil and the DHA diet.
- The period of follicular retention – a stage in the ovulation cycle – before ovulation was longer in mares on the EPA and DHA diet compared to the other two diets.
Conclusions
The article concludes that maternal dietary supplementation with EPA and DHA fatty acids can alter the fatty acid profile of milk and plasma in both mares and foals. It also suggests that these supplements may have the potential to delay ovulation in the early postpartum period.
Cite This Article
APA
Kouba JM, Burns TA, Webel SK.
(2019).
Effect of dietary supplementation with long-chain n-3 fatty acids during late gestation and early lactation on mare and foal plasma fatty acid composition, milk fatty acid composition, and mare reproductive variables.
Anim Reprod Sci, 203, 33-44.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2019.02.005 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA. Electronic address: jkouba@ksu.edu.
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA. Electronic address: tpoland@g.clemson.edu.
- United Animal Health, Sheridan, IN, 46069, USA. Electronic address: steve.webel@unitedanh.com.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Feed / analysis
- Animals
- Corn Oil / administration & dosage
- Corn Oil / pharmacology
- Diet / veterinary
- Dietary Supplements
- Docosahexaenoic Acids / administration & dosage
- Docosahexaenoic Acids / pharmacology
- Eicosapentaenoic Acid / administration & dosage
- Eicosapentaenoic Acid / pharmacology
- Fatty Acids / blood
- Female
- Horses
- Lactation
- Milk / chemistry
- Milk / metabolism
- Postpartum Period
- Pregnancy
- Reproduction
Citations
This article has been cited 11 times.- Boranbayeva T, Dossimova Z, Zhalelov D, Zhunisbek A, Bolat A, Toishimanov M. Influence of Lactation, Age and Foaling Factors on the Quality Composition, Fatty and Amino Acid Profile of Mare's Milk Under Pasture Conditions. Foods 2025 Aug 19;14(16).
- Snyder-Peterson EA, Shost N, Thomson-Parker T, Mowry KC, Fikes KK, Smith R, Corl B, Wagner A, Girard I, Suagee-Bedore JK. Mare Milk and Foal Plasma Fatty Acid Composition in Foals Born to Mares Fed Either Flax or Fish Oil During Late Gestation. Animals (Basel) 2025 May 30;15(11).
- 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.
- Ge Z, An Y, Lan W, Li X. Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Omega-3 PUFA Enriched Fish Oil During Late-Pregnancy and Lactation on Reproductive Performance, Immune Activity and Fecal Microbiota Composition in Postpartum Sows. Vet Sci 2025 Feb 7;12(2).
- Liang X, Guo X, Yue Y, Hui F, Tong M, Guo Y, Zheng Y, Shi B, Yan S. The Effect of Increasing the Proportion of Dietary Roughage Based on the Partial Replacement of Low-Quality Roughage with Alfalfa Hay on the Fatty Acid Profile of Donkey Milk. Animals (Basel) 2025 Feb 3;15(3).
- Martini M, Degl'Innocenti A, Altomonte I, Sodi I, Bocci C, Fanelli D, Moroni R, Panzani D, Camillo F, Salari F. Report on a Milking Mule: Milk Qualitative Characteristics during Lactation. Animals (Basel) 2024 May 27;14(11).
- Blanco-Doval A, Barron LJR, Aldai N. Nutritional Quality and Socio-Ecological Benefits of Mare Milk Produced under Grazing Management. Foods 2024 May 4;13(9).
- Cardona-García M, Jiménez-Escobar C, Ferrer MS, Maldonado-Estrada JG. Follicular Dynamics and Pregnancy Rates during Foal Heat in Colombian Paso Fino Mares Bred under Permanent Grazing. Animals (Basel) 2024 Feb 29;14(5).
- Broś-Konopielko M, Białek A, Johne M, Czajkowski K. Increased LC PUFA Levels in the Serum of Pregnant Women and Their Children as a Result of Dietary Supplementation with 'Omega' Fatty Acids. Nutrients 2023 Jan 2;15(1).
- Broś-Konopielko M, Białek A, Oleszczuk-Modzelewska L, Zaleśkiewicz B, Różańska-Walędziak A, Czajkowski K. Nutritional, Anthropometric and Sociodemographic Factors Affecting Fatty Acids Profile of Pregnant Women's Serum at Labour-Chemometric Studies. Nutrients 2021 Aug 25;13(9).
- Miraglia N, Salimei E, Fantuz F. Equine Milk Production and Valorization of Marginal Areas-A Review. Animals (Basel) 2020 Feb 22;10(2).
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