title: Limited evidence for trans-generational effects of maternal dietary supplementation with ω-3 fatty acids on immunity in broiler chickens.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the immune response of broiler chickens is modulated by including different omega-3 (ω-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the maternal diet. Broiler breeder hens (n = 120 birds per group) were fed one of four diets, differing in the ratios of n-6:n-3 PUFAs and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA):docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). At 28 weeks of age, the eggs produced were incubated to obtain 720 chicks (n = 180 per group). All broiler chicks were fed a control diet and were vaccinated against Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Blood samples were taken at different time points after immunisation with human serum albumin (HuSA) in Freund's adjuvant to determine the acute phase response, antibody response and cytokine production. Addition of EPA to the maternal diet was associated with greater ovotransferrin concentrations post-immunisation, compared to other groups. Altering the ratios of n-6:n-3 PUFA or EPA:DHA in the maternal diet did not affect the offspring in terms of production of caeruloplasmin, α1-acid glycoprotein, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-12 or tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Dietary manipulation of the maternal diet did not influence the specific antibody response to HuSA or NDV, nor did it alter the levels of natural antibody binding to keyhole limpet haemocyanin in the offspring. Thus, maternal supplementation with n-3 PUFAs played a minor role in perinatal programming of the immune response of broiler chickens.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Livestock Physiology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenber 30 Box 2456, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; Animal Science Unit, Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO), Scheldeweg 68, 9090 Melle, Belgium. Electronic address: astrid.koppenol@biw.kuleuven.be.
authors.forename: Astrid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koppenol
authors.affiliation: Animal Science Unit, Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO), Scheldeweg 68, 9090 Melle, Belgium.
authors.forename: Evelyne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Delezie
authors.affiliation: Adaptation Physiology Group, Department of Animal Science, Wageningen University, Marijkeweg 40, 6709 PG Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Henk K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Parmentier
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Livestock Physiology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenber 30 Box 2456, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Buyse
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Livestock Physiology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenber 30 Box 2456, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; Animal Science Unit, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, Passage des Déportés 2, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Everaert
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000032:analysis; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid
keywords: Acute phase proteins; Docosahexaenoic acid; Eicosapentaenoic acid; Perinatal programming; Polyunsaturated fatty acids; Poultry