title: N-3 fatty acid intake altered fat content and fatty acid distribution in chicken breast muscle, but did not influence mRNA expression of lipid-related enzymes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The conversions of the n-3 and n-6 fatty acid of plant origin to the C20 and C22 very long chain fatty acids (LCPUFAs) is regulated by several cellular enzymes such as elongases and desaturases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-five male one-day old chickens (Ross 308) were randomly divided into four groups and given one of four diets; with or without linseed oil (LO), (the diets contained equal amounts of fat) and with low or high selenium (Se). Final body weight, amount of Se and fat in breast muscle, fatty acid profile, and gene expression for fatty acid desaturases (Fads1, Fads2, Fads9), HMG-CoA reductase, Acyl-CoA oxidase (Acox), carnitine palmitoyl transferase1 (Cpt1), superoxide dismutase (Sod) and glutathione peroxidase4 (Gpx4) were analyzed in all animals, and Gpx activity in whole blood was determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  mRNA expression of elongases and desaturases in chicken breast muscle was not affected by feed rich in C18:3n-3. The highly positive correlation between amount of fat in breast muscle and the product/precursor indices of monounsaturated fatty acid synthesis, and the negative correlation between muscle fat and indices of LCPUFA synthesis should be further studied.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  mRNA expression in chicken breast muscle of elongases and desaturases was not affected by feed rich in C18:3n-3. The highly positive correlation between amount of fat in breast muscle and the product/precursor indices of monounsaturated fatty acid synthesis, and the negative correlation between muscle fat and indices of LCPUFA synthesis should be further studied.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, The Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P,O, BOX 5003, Ås 1432, Norway. anna.haug@nmbu.no.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haug
authors.forename: Nicole F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Nyquist
authors.forename: Magny
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thomassen
authors.forename: Arne T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Høstmark
authors.forename: Tone-Kari Knutsdatter
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Ostbye
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases / Q000235:genetics; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases