title: Health beneficial long chain omega-3 fatty acid levels in Australian lamb managed under extensive finishing systems.
abstract: The variation in levels of the health claimable long chain omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) plus docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) across production regions of Australia was studied in 5726 lambs over 3 years completed in 87 slaughter groups. The median level of EPA plus DHA differed dramatically between locations and sometimes between slaughters from the same location. The ratio of EPA plus DHA from lambs with high values (97.5% quantile) to lambs with low values (2.5% quantile) also differed dramatically between locations, and between slaughters from the same location. Consistency between years, at a location, was less for the high to low value ratio of EPA plus DHA than for the median value of EPA plus DHA. To consistently obtain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids in Australian lamb, there must be a focus on lamb finishing diets which are likely to need a supply of α-linolenic acid (18:3n-3), the precursor for EPA and DHA.
authors: CRC for Sheep Industry Innovation, Homestead Building, UNE, Armidale NSW 2350, Australia; Livestock Production Sciences, Department of Primary Industries, Werribee, Vic. 3030, Australia. Electronic address: eric.ponnampalam@dpi.vic.gov.au.
authors: Eric N
authors: EN
authors: Ponnampalam
authors: Kym L
authors: KL
authors: Butler
authors: Robin H
authors: RH
authors: Jacob
authors: David W
authors: DW
authors: Pethick
authors: Alex J
authors: AJ
authors: Ball
authors: Janelle E Hocking
authors: JE
authors: Edwards
authors: Geert
authors: G
authors: Geesink
authors: David L
authors: DL
authors: Hopkins
mesh_terms: D000003:Abattoirs; D000821:Animal Feed; D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D004032:Diet; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000032:analysis*; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008460:Meat / Q000032:analysis*; D034561:Sheep, Domestic; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid
keywords: Dietary background; Lamb production; Long chain omega-3 fatty acids; Meat