Effects of dietary camelina, flaxseed, and canola oil supplementation on transepidermal water loss, skin and coat health parameters, and plasma prostaglandin E2, glycosaminoglycan, and nitric oxide concentrations in healthy adult horses.
Abstract: Camelina oil is derived from a low-input, high-yield crop and, in comparison to many other dietary fat sources currently used in equine diets, provides a greater amount of α-linolenic acid [ALA; (n-3)], than linoleic acid [LA; (n-6)]. However, no research exists assessing the effects of feeding camelina oil to horses in contrast to other commonly used oils. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of supplementing camelina oil to that of flaxseed and canola oil supplementation, on outcomes related to skin and coat health in horses. Thirty adult horses [23 mares, 7 geldings; 14.9 years ± 5.3 years; 544 ± 66 kg body weight (BW) (mean ± SD)] underwent a 4-week wash-in period consuming hay and sunflower oil. Following the wash-in period, horses were blocked by location, age, and BW, and assigned to one of three treatment oils for 16 weeks (370 mg oil/kg BW): camelina (CAM), canola (OLA), or flaxseed (FLX) oil. Blood samples were collected and plasma prostaglandin E2 (PGE2; ELISA), nitric oxide (NO; Griess Reaction), and glycosaminoglycan (GAG; DMMB) concentrations were measured on weeks 0 (n = 30), 14 (n = 24), and 16 (n = 30). On weeks 0, 2, 4, 8, and 16, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was measured pre- and post-acetone application using a VapoMeter (n = 26), and a 5-point-Likert scale was used to assess skin and coat characteristics on the side and rump of the horses (n = 30). All data were analyzed with repeated measures ANOVA using PROC GLIMMIX in SAS. Independent of treatment, coat color, and quality increased from baseline. There were no differences in the outcomes assessed between the horses supplemented camelina oil and those supplemented canola or flaxseed oil. These results suggest that independent of treatment, all oil supplements improved coat color and quality in horses. This provides indication that camelina oil is comparable to existing plant-based oil supplements in supporting skin and coat health and inflammation in horses. Horses cannot produce omega-3 α-linolenic acid or omega-6 linoleic acid in the body, and as a result, these fatty acids are required in the diet. Camelina oil contains a lower ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids (1:1.8) in comparison to alternative fat ingredients commonly included in many horse diets, such as soybean oil (1:0.12). Omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed oil or marine-based oils can support skin and coat health and lower inflammation in horses; however, there is a lack of research investigating camelina oil supplementation and its benefits in horses. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of camelina oil on skin and coat health in horses. Horses were supplemented with sunflower oil for 4 weeks before being assigned to one of three treatment oils (camelina, canola, or flaxseed) for 16 weeks. Skin barrier function was assessed by measuring the transepidermal water loss of the chest, inner elbow, withers, and rump. Blood markers, including prostaglandin E2, nitric oxide, and glycosaminoglycan, were measured. Skin and coat parameters, including shine, softness, hair quality, color intensity, and moisture, were assessed using a 5-point scale on the rump and side of the horses. No differences in transepidermal water loss, blood markers, or skin and coat parameters were observed among treatments. Our results suggest that camelina oil is comparable to existing oil supplements in supporting skin and coat health and inflammation in horses.
© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science.
Publication Date: 2023-11-08 PubMed ID: 37935917PubMed Central: PMC10721441DOI: 10.1093/jas/skad373Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The study assessed the effects of dietary supplementation with camelina, flaxseed, and canola oil on certain health parameters in horses. It concluded that all three oils were equally effective in improving skin, coat health, and inflammatory markers in horses.
Research Methodology
- The researchers conducted their experiment on 30 adult horses which included 23 mares and 7 geldings.
- These horses underwent a 4-week wash-in period during which they were fed hay and sunflower oil, before being assigned to receive camelina, canola, or flaxseed oil supplements for a duration of 16 weeks.
- The horses were grouped by location, age, and body weight, and the oil supplements were administered at a rate of 370 mg oil per kg of body weight.
- Blood samples were collected at various intervals during the treatment period, and transepidermal water loss was measured before and after applying acetone.
- Independent assessment of skin and coat characteristics were also made using a 5-point-Likert scale.
Results and Conclusion
- The analysis of these assessments, made using Anova testing, indicated that all three oil supplements – camelina, canola, and flaxseed – resulted in improved coat color and quality from baseline measurements.
- Select inflammatory markers, such as prostaglandin E2 and nitric oxide, were also measured but no discernible differences between the treatment groups were observed.
- This led the researchers to infer that camelina oil was just as effective as flaxseed and canola oil in improving skin and coat health in horses.
- Moreover, all three oils seemed to facilitate similar anti-inflammatory effects in the subject horses.
Implications
- The findings of this study suggest that camelina oil, a dietary fat source with a high yield and lower input requirements compared to other oils, can be effectively used to supplement horse diets for skin and coat health.
- This conclusion could have implications for the equine industry, providing an alternative, sustainable avenue for skin and coat maintenance in horses, and perhaps even other domestic animals.
Cite This Article
APA
Richards T, Burron S, McCorkell TC, Trevizan L, Patterson K, Minikhiem D, Ma DWL, Pearson W, Shoveller AK.
(2023).
Effects of dietary camelina, flaxseed, and canola oil supplementation on transepidermal water loss, skin and coat health parameters, and plasma prostaglandin E2, glycosaminoglycan, and nitric oxide concentrations in healthy adult horses.
J Anim Sci, 101.
https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skad373 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, CanadaN1G 2W1.
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, CanadaN1G 2W1.
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, CanadaN1G 2W1.
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Department of Animal Science, Agronomia, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, CanadaN1G 2W1.
- 2306 Skilman Way, Spring Hill, TN 37174, USA.
- Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, CanadaN1G 2W1.
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, CanadaN1G 2W1.
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, CanadaN1G 2W1.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses
- Male
- Female
- Flax
- Dinoprostone
- Rapeseed Oil
- Nitric Oxide
- Water
- Glycosaminoglycans
- Diet / veterinary
- Dietary Supplements / analysis
- Linseed Oil
- Plant Oils / pharmacology
- Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / pharmacology
Grant Funding
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Conflict of Interest Statement
All authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.
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