Dietary supplementation with fish oil increases long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in pubertal gilts

摘要

Polyunsaturated fatty acids are essential nutrients for pigs as they lack the necessary enzymes for bio-synthesis from palmitic acid via elongation and desaturation reactions (Enser, 1984). Polyunsaturated fatty acids are incorporated into cell membranes and are precursors to prostaglandins and leukotrienes. These metabolites are involved in reproduction and inflammatory responses. Fish oil contains a high level of omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; C