title: Effect of maternal dietary n-3 fatty acids on the accretion of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in the tissues of developing chick embryo.
abstract: The effect of maternal diets on the accretion of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the brain and liver tissue of developing chick embryos was investigated. Hens were fed diets containing high (HLNA) or low levels of 18:3n-3 (LLNA). The HLNA diet increased (p < 0.05) the content of the 18:3n-3, 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3 in the yolk lipids with a concomitant reduction (p < 0.005) in 20:4n-6. Diet and time significantly (p < 0.05) affected the transfer of 22:6n-3 (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA) and 20:4n-6 acid from the HLNA and LLNA yolk lipid. In the brain of HLNA chick embryos, a diet- and time-associated increase (p < 0.05) in the phospholipid content was observed. In the brain of HLNA and LLNA embryos, DHA levels increased (p < 0.05) from day 15 to the day of hatching, with a concomitant reduction (p < 0.05) in the liver. The accretion of arachidonic acid plateaued on day 15 in the brain of HLNA and LLNA embryos.
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cherian
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gopalakrishnan
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Akiba
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Sim
mesh_terms: D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D002642:Chick Embryo / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004530:Egg Yolk / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated