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A total of twenty sows (Large White x Landrace, 237 (SEM 3) kg) and their piglets ((Large White x Landrace) x Pietrain) were used. Sows received either a lard (LAR)-based diet or a linseed oil (LSO)-based diet during gestation and lactation. Fatty acid composition was evaluated in sow plasma, placenta and milk, and in different tissues of piglets on days 0, 3, 7, 21 and 32.
The LSO diet increased the proportions of n-3 PUFA and especially 22:6n-3 in the placenta. The carcass of LSO piglets at birth contained greater (P<0.05) proportions of 20:5n-3, 22:5n-3 and 22:6n-3. The LSO sow milk exhibited greater proportions of 18:3n-3 compared with the LAR sow milk. The piglets suckling LSO sows had greater (P<0.05) proportions of 18:3n-3, 20:5n-3 and 22:5n-3 in plasma and carcass. The proportions of 22:5n-3 and 22:6n-3 were greater in the brain of LSO piglets than in that of LAR piglets during the suckling period.
It is concluded that the inclusion of LSO in the maternal diet during gestation and lactation increases 22:6n-3 concentrations in the placenta and in the foetus carcass and it maintains 22:6n-3 concentrations in the brain during the first week of postnatal life.
F de Quelen, G Boudry and J Mourot, 2010. British Journal of Nutrition, 104: 533–543.
