title: Duration of effects of dietary fish oil supplementation on serum eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid concentrations in dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine how long serum concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids remain elevated after cessation of dietary fish oil supplementation.
  
  
  METHODS
  12 healthy Beagles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Baseline serum concentrations of linoleic acid, linolenic acid, arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were measured. Dogs were then fed a diet supplemented with soybean oil or fish oil for 8 weeks, and serum fatty acid concentrations were measured while dogs were fed the experimental diets and for 18 weeks after they were switched to a maintenance diet.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For dogs fed the fish oil diet, serum EPA and DHA concentrations were significantly increased by week 1 and remained increased for 7 (DHA concentration) or 3 (EPA concentration) weeks after dietary fish oil supplementation was discontinued.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In dogs, supplementation of the diet with fish oil may have effects for several weeks after dietary supplementation is discontinued.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Studies of the effects of fish oil supplementation that use a crossover design should allow for an appropriate washout period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523, USA.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Ogilvie
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Davenport
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Gross
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Walton
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Mallinckrodt
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Hand
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Fettman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000097:blood*; D004285:Dogs; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005527:Food, Fortified; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D005395:Fish Oils; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid