Genotype,production system and sex effects on fatty acid composition of meat from goat kids

Two trials were performed to assess the meat fatty acid profile of goat kids from different genotypes, production systems and sex. In the first trial, genotype effect was determined in 24 suckling male kids from Turkish Saanen, Maltese and Gokceada breeds. In the second trial, male and female Gokceada Goat kids were used to compare the effect of extensive and semi‐intensive production systems on fatty acid composition of meat. Significant genotype effect was observed in the percentages of myristic acid (C14:0), palmitic acid (C16:0), oleic acid (C18:1 n‐9), linolenic acid (C18:3 n‐3), arachidonic acid (C20:4 n‐6) and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6 n‐3), despite no differences on the ratios of polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids (PUFA/SFA) and n‐6/n‐3 (P > 0.05). The effect of production system had also significant effects on fatty acids, but sex only influenced significantly stearic acid (C18:0), C18:1 n‐9 and C18:3 n‐3 fatty acids and total PUFA level and PUFA/SFA ratio. This study confirms that dairy breeds are prone to produce higher levels of unsaturated fatty acids in their muscle. Meanwhile, meat from Gokceada goat kids, which is one of the indigenous breeds in Turkey, had similar PUFA/SFA and n‐6/n‐3 ratios to Turkish Saanen and Maltase.     

Rat, caprine, equine and bovine erythrocyte ghosts exposed to t-butyl hydroperoxide as a model to study lipid peroxidation using a chemiluminescence assay

The aim of the present study was to analyze the time-course of t-butyl hydroperoxide-induced changes in lipid peroxidation, fatty acid composition and chemiluminescence intensity in rat, caprine, equine and bovine erythrocyte ghosts. A relatively high content of arachidonic acid (C20:4 n6) and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6 n3) was characteristic of the rat erythrocyte ghosts. The fatty acid composition of native erythrocyte ghosts obtained from caprine, equine and bovine was characterized by a high content of oleic acid (C18:1 n9) and a low content of the peroxidable polyunsaturated fatty acids (C20:4 n6 and C22:6 n3). The proportion of linoleic acid (C18:2 n6) was higher in equine and bovine compared to rat and caprine. Increase in lipid peroxidation in rat erythrocyte ghosts was maximal within 12 min of incubation, t-butyl hydroperoxide concentration dependent and was paralleled by a decrease in C18:2 n6, C20:4 n6 and C22:6 n3 and an increase in chemiluminescence formation. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) present in rat erythrocyte ghosts exhibit the highest sensitivity to oxidative damaged and their sensitivity increases as a power function of the number of double bonds per fatty acid molecule. Light emission in caprine, equine and bovine erythrocyte ghosts was very low, t-butyl hydroperoxide concentration-dependent but changes in fatty acid composition were not observed. The main conclusion of this work is that a low unsaturation degree of fatty acids in erythrocyte ghosts of caprine, equine and bovine prevent the lipid peroxidation on those membranes when they are incubated with t-butyl hydroperoxide.     

Pathobiochemical importance of phospholipases for the release of mast cell mediators

We investigated the influence of polyunsaturated fatty acids on the activity of the cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) in the canine mastocytoma cell line C2 as a model for canine atopic dermatitis (CAD). Cells were cultured in a basic medium or in media supplemented with different fatty acids (14 microM) for eight days. The supplemented fatty acids were linoleic acid (18:2n6), alpha-linolenic acid (18:3n3), gamma-linolenic acid (18:3n6) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n3). We measured enriched concentrations of the added fatty acid, their delta6-desaturated and elongated products. However, delta5-desaturated products were not increased. Culturing of C2 in 18:3n3 supplemented medium reduced the cPLA2 activity. Furthermore in these cells and in C2 cultured in 22:6n3 supplemented medium decreased the cPLA2 activity after stimulation. The reduced cPLA2 activity by the changed fatty acid pattern of C2 cultured in 18:3n3 or 22:6n3 possibly explain the beneficial effects of these fatty acids in CAD because increased cPLA2 activity is accompanied by enhanced release of proinflammatory type 2 prostaglandins and type 4 leukotrienes.     

复合型植物提取物对三黄鸡肉品质的影响

本试验旨在研究日粮中添加不同比例的复合型植物提取物对三黄鸡肉品质的影响。试验选用1日龄,健康、初始体重为29.21 g的三黄鸡公鸡240只,随机分4组,每组10个重复,每个重复6只鸡。A组饲喂基础日粮,B、C、D组在基础日粮中分别添加0.01%、0.02%、0.04%的植物提取物。饲养至70日龄时进行屠宰试验,分别取胸肌、腿肌,测定物理指标、化学指标、氨基酸含量、脂肪酸含量。结果表明:与对照组相比,饲料中添加0.02%的植物提取物能够提高肌肉pH、粗蛋白比例(P0.05),降低肌肉脂肪(P0.05),但对肌肉剪切力无显著差异(P0.05);增加肌肉中苏氨酸、谷氨酸、甘氨酸、亮氨酸、必需氨基酸、呈味氨基酸、总氨基酸含量(P0.05);提高腿肌中饱和脂肪酸、不饱和脂肪酸、必需脂肪酸含量(P0.05)。综合分析,在饲料中添加0.02%的植物提取物能显著改善肌肉风味,提高肌肉品质。     

The Influence of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids on total lipid fatty acid composition of a canine mastocytoma cell line

Cutaneous mast cells are considered as key immune effectors in the pathogenesis of canine atopic dermatitis (CAD). These cells release immediate-phase and late-phase mediators of inflammation. Dietary fatty acids are incorporated in cellular membranes and seem to influence mediator production and release. A dietary intervention with n6- and n3-fatty acids is thought to alleviate clinical symptoms in atopic dogs. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of n6- and n3-fatty acids on the fatty acid composition of canine mastocytoma cells (C2) as a possible model for CAD. The C2 was cultured in a basic medium called Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DEH) or with additional 14 mum linoleate (C18:2n6, DEH-LA), gamma-linolenate (C18:3n6, DEH-GLA), arachidonate (C20:4n6, DEH-AA), alpha-linolenate (C18:3n3, DEH-LnA), eicosapentaenoate (C20:5n3, DEH-EPA) or docosahexaenoate (C22:6n3, DEH-DHA). Cell growth was examined for 11 days in all media. Cell growth increased from days 1 to 8 and decreased thereafter in all media conditions. The fatty acids supplied did not influence cell growth. The cells were harvested after 8 days for fatty acid analysis. The fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography after extraction and trans-esterification of the lipids. The added fatty acids increased the concentration of these fatty acids in C2 differently (LA 4.9-fold, GLA 6.9-fold, AA 6-fold, LNA 9.3-fold, EPA 6.5-fold and DHA 8.4-fold). Furthermore, elongated and Delta6-desaturated products of the corresponding fatty acids were significantly elevated. However, Delta5-desaturated products were not measurable. These results let us assume that C2 has no measurable activity of the Delta5-desaturase. In case the low activity of Delta5-desaturase is one of the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of CAD, C2 seems to be an adequate model for investigations in CAD.     

Subcutaneous and intramuscular adipose tissue stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase gene expression and fatty acid composition in calf- and yearling-fed Angus steers

We proposed that stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) activity dictates fatty acid composition of adipose tissue and muscle in beef cattle, regardless of ruminal or hepatic fatty acid hydrogenation or desaturation. Twelve Angus steers were assigned to a calf-fed (CF) group and slaughtered at weaning (8 mo of age; n=4), 12 mo of age (n=4), or 16 mo of age (n=4). Twelve steers were assigned to a yearling-fed (YF) group and slaughtered at 12 mo of age (n=4), 16 mo of age (n=4), and 17.5 mo of age (n=4; 525 kg, market weight). Data were analyzed based on time on the corn-based finishing diet, with terminal age as a covariate, and orthogonal polynomial contrasts were tested on the main effects of treatment group and time on the finishing diet. Fatty acids from duodenal digesta, plasma, liver, LM, and subcutaneous and intramuscular adipose tissue were measured, and SCD gene expression was measured in intramuscular and subcutaneous adipose tissues. In duodenal digesta, palmitic and linoleic acids increased by 100% over the sampling period, α-linolenic acid decreased over the sampling period, and trans-vaccenic acid was greater in YF than in CF steers (all P < 0.01). The proportion of α-linolenic acid decreased over time in all tissues, including liver. The SCD index (ratio of SCD fatty acid products to SCD fatty acid substrates) increased over time in LM and in intramuscular and subcutaneous adipose tissues. The SCD:glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase mRNA ratio was virtually undetectable at the initial sampling periods in subcutaneous adipose tissue of YF and CF steers, and it increased over time (P < 0.01). The SCD index and SCD:glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase ratio were greater in intramuscular adipose tissue of CF steers than in that of YF steers. The SCD index did not change over time in liver and decreased over time in duodenal digesta. We conclude that, unlike essential fatty acids, the SFA and MUFA composition of adipose tissue is regulated by adipose tissue fatty acid desaturation, with little contribution from hepatic or duodenal fatty acids.     

反刍动物肌内脂肪及脂肪酸调控研究进展

脂肪作为食物中必不可少的养分,它不仅可以提供能量,还可以提供必需脂肪酸。脂肪的硬度、贮存稳定性受肌内脂肪及脂肪酸组成等影响,进而影响脂肪的营养价值、风味以及食用品质,而脂肪酸组成受动物种类、品种、性别和日粮等因素影响。反刍动物由于瘤胃氢化作用导致其脂肪酸饱和程度和异构程度高于单胃动物,从而使其肌内脂肪以及脂肪酸组成不同,导致其肉品质以及风味都不同。本文旨在综述反刍动物肌内脂肪及其脂肪酸构成调控的研究进展。     

Effects of oral sunflower oil and olive oil on serum and cutaneous fatty acid concentrations in dogs.

The effects of dietary fatty acids on serum and cutaneous fatty acids of healthy dogs were evaluated under controlled conditions. Beagle puppies (n = 12) were fed a standard diet supplemented with sunflower oil (group A), olive oil (group B) or no supplementation (group C) for 12 weeks. There were no significant differences in food intake or growth rates between the three groups. Dogs in group A had significant increases (P < 0.05) in serum 18:2n6 (linoleic acid) and 20:3n6 (dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid), and cutaneous 18:2n6 with significant decreases in serum 20:4n6 (arachidonic acid) and cutaneous 18:1n9 (oleic acid) and 18:3n3 (alpha-linolenic acid). Dogs in group B had significant increases in serum 18:1n9, 20:3n6 and cutaneous 18:1n9 with decreases in serum 20:4n6, 22:4n6, 22:5n3 and 22:5n6, and cutaneous 18:2n6, 18:3n3 and 20:4n6. There were no significant changes in serum or cutaneous fatty acids for the dogs in group C. This study demonstrates that fatty acid supplements can be used to alter the serum and cutaneous fatty acid compositions of dogs.     

Brown and white adipose tissue lipid composition in three successive progenies of rats: effects of ethanol exposure.

The effect of ethanol exposure on the fatty acid composition of brown and white adipose tissue in three successive rat progenies at the end of an experimental period (24 weeks) was studied. Ethanol-treated rats received a standard rat chow diet and 5, 10 and 15% ethanol in the ad libitum drinking fluid over 3 successive weeks. Then a concentration of 20% ethanol was maintained for 5 additional weeks up to the end of the experimental period. The males and females in the ethanol treated group were mated to obtain the 1st generation of offspring. Then female and male rats from the 1st generation were mated to obtain the 2nd generation. Finally, males and females from the 2nd generation were mated to obtain the 3rd generation of ethanol treated rats. Another group served as control and received only water and a standard rat chow diet. The control group was handled in the same way as the other experimental groups. In the 1st and 2nd generations the percentage of stearic acid (18:0) decreased and palmitoleic (16:1n7) and oleic acid (18:1n9) increased in both adipose tissues of ethanol-treated rats with respect to control. Additionally, n-3 and n-6 series were reduced both in brown and white adipose tissues. In the 3rd generation the fatty acid composition of the white adipose tissue was similar to that of control rats. Thus, no significant difference in essential fatty acids and oleic acid (18:1n9) were found. However, the fatty acid composition of the brown adipose tissue, in the 3rd generation, was similar to that observed in the 1st and 2nd generation. Thus, a decrease in essential fatty acids and an increase in oleic acid (18:1n9) was found. This suggests adaptation to ethanol consumption during successive progenies in white adipose tissue. However, in brown adipose tissue the values indicate a triglyceride storing during the thermogenesis, which is more important to newborns.     

两种云南地方鸡肌肉氨基酸和脂肪酸含量比较研究

为比较尼西鸡和无量山乌骨鸡肌肉中氨基酸和脂肪酸含量,选取尼西鸡和无量山乌骨鸡各44羽,测定胸肌和腿肌中17种氨基酸和18种脂肪酸的含量,比较分析其差异性。结果显示,尼西鸡和无量山乌骨鸡肌肉中谷氨酸含量均最高,其次是天冬氨酸和赖氨酸,含量最低的是半胱氨酸;无量山乌骨鸡肌肉中的必需氨基酸（EAA）含量和必需氨基酸/总氨基酸（EAA/TAA）均极显著高于尼西鸡（P < 0.01）,而鲜味氨基酸含量（尤其是谷氨酸的含量）极显著低于尼西鸡（P < 0.01）;这两种鸡肌肉中的脂肪酸均以油酸、棕榈酸、亚油酸、硬脂酸和花生四烯酸为主,其余的脂肪酸含量较低;无量山乌骨鸡肌肉中的总脂肪酸含量、多不饱和脂肪酸含量、不饱和脂肪酸含量和必需脂肪酸含量均极显著高于尼西鸡（P < 0.01）。     

Comparative Analysis of Amino Acid and Fatty Acid Content Among Two Kinds of Yunnan Local Chickens

This study was conducted to compare the contents of amino acids and fatty acids in the muscles of Nixi chickens and Wuliangshan Black-boned chickens.44 Nixi chickens and 44 Wuliangshan Black-boned chickens were chosen and breast muscle and leg muscle samples were collected to measure the content of 17 amino acids and 18 fatty acids. The results showed that the content of Glu in the muscle of the two kinds of chickens was the highest,followed by Asp and Lys, the lowest content was Cys. The essential amino acid (EAA) content and essential amino acid ratio (EAA/TAA) of Wuliangshan Black-boned chickens was extremely significantly higher than Nixi chickens (P < 0.01). However,the content of aromatic amino acids (especially Glu) was extremely significantly lower than Nixi chickens (P < 0.01). The fatty acids in the two kinds of chickens were mainly consisted of oleic acid, palmitic acid,linoleic acid,stearic acid and arachidonic acid,and the rest of the fatty acids were lower. The content of total fatty acid,polyunsaturated fatty acids, unsaturated fatty acid and essential fatty acid of Wuliangshan Black-boned chickens were extremely significantly higher than Nixi chickens (P < 0.01).     

紫茎泽兰对建昌黑山羊肌肉中氨基酸和脂肪酸含量的影响

为研究紫茎泽兰(Ageratina adenophora)对建昌黑山羊肌肉中氨基酸和脂肪酸含量的影响,本研究采用氨基酸自动分析仪和氯仿–甲醇抽提法,对自然放牧采食紫茎泽兰的建昌黑山羊背最长肌中氨基酸、脂肪酸含量进行测定分析。结果显示,与对照组比较,建昌黑山羊肌肉必需氨基酸(essential amino-acid,EAA)、非必需氨基酸(non-essential amino acid,NEAA)和总氨基酸(total amino acid,TAA)含量减少,风味氨基酸含量减少;饱和脂肪酸(saturated fatty acid,SFA)含量减少,单不饱和脂肪酸(monounsaturated fatty acid,MUFA)、多不饱和脂肪酸(polyunsaturated fatty acids,PUFA)和不饱和脂肪酸(unsaturated fatty acid,UFA)含量增加,UFA/SFA(U/S)值升高,与膻味呈正比的脂肪酸含量升高,与膻味呈反比的脂肪酸含量减少,说明紫茎泽兰降低了肉品的氨基酸营养价值,增加了肉品的脂肪酸营养价值,对肉品风味有一定影响。研究表明,紫茎泽兰饲喂反刍动物,具有一定的营养价值,但紫茎泽兰的毒性使动物肌肉脂肪酸和氨基酸含量发生变化,降低了肉品品质。     

Maternal and umbilical venous plasma lipid concentrations at delivery in the mare

The concentrations and fatty acid composition of the plasma free fatty acid, triacylglycerol and phospholipid fractions were determined in maternal and umbilical cord vein blood samples taken at delivery from 17 mares. Maternal and umbilical vein plasma free fatty acid concentrations were of a similar order and a positive correlation was found between the two levels suggesting that the equine placenta is permeable to fatty acid. Substantial amounts of the essential fatty acids and their longer chain derivatives were seen in both umbilical vein plasma free fatty acid and phospholipid fractions supporting this view. Certain long chain polyunsaturated derivatives of the essential fatty acids found in the umbilical venous plasma phospholipid fraction were not seen in the maternal circulating lipids. The precursor fatty acids were readily available to both foetal and placental tissues and therefore must have been elongated and incorporated into phospholipid by either or both. Very small amounts of the essential fatty acids were found in adipose stores in the newborn foal and virtually no fat stores at all in the newborn foal liver.     

思州鸡肌肉品质分析

随机选取相同条件下放牧饲养的120日龄思州鸡10只,公、母各半,进行肌肉品质测定。结果显示,思州鸡肌肉嫩度好,干物质含量高,钙含量丰富,硒和铁含量较低,锌含量适中;胸肌11种脂肪酸中以油酸、棕榈酸、亚油酸和硬脂酸为主,占脂肪酸总量的92.20%,不饱和脂肪酸含量占69.35%,必需脂肪酸占15.31%;17种氨基酸中以谷氨酸、天冬氨酸、赖氨酸和亮氨酸为主,占氨基酸总量的44.22%,必需氨基酸、鲜味氨基酸、甜味氨基酸、芳香族氨基酸、支链氨基酸和抗氧化氨基酸含量分别为39.40%、26.18%、20.09%、7.06%、18.08%和11.61%。因此,思州鸡肌肉品质优良,肉质风味好。     

Analysis and Evaluation of Nutritional Components of Black-White Rabbit Muscle

In order to measure the nutritional characteristics of Black-White rabbit meat,the nutrient components,the conventional nutrient,amino acid and fatty acid content of leg muscle in Black-White rabbit were tested and analyzed,and the protein nutritional values were evaluated based on the National Food Security Standard and chemical analytical method of product quality. The results showed that the moisture,crude proteins,crude fats and ash in leg muscle of Black-White rabbit were 73.43%,21.67%,3.83% and 1.13%,respectively. There was no significant difference on the nutrient components between female and male rabbits (P>0.05). The total amino acids,essential amino acids and delicious amino acids were 196.53,78.64 and 70.80 mg/g,respectively. According to amino acid score (AAS),the first limiting amino acid of Black-White rabbit was Val and the second limiting amino acid was Met+Cys. However,based on the standard of chemical score (CS),the first limiting amino acid was Met+Cys and the second was Val. Additionally,the ratio of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) to saturated fatty acids (SFA) was 1.74,and no significant difference was found on the amino acids between female and male rabbits (P>0.05). More specifically,except the fatty acid of C16:1 and C18:3, there was no significant difference in the fatty acid compositions between female and male rabbits (P>0.05). In conclusion,Black-White rabbit meat was composed of high proteins,delicious amino acids and essential amino acids suggesting that it had better balance of amino acids. The unsaturated fatty acids in Black-White rabbit meat were higher than saturated ones meaning high nutritional value and better dietary values.     

黑白花兔肌肉营养成分分析与评价

为了探讨黑白花兔肌肉营养品质特性,试验按照国家食品安全标准和化学分析法,对黑白花兔肌肉（腿肌）常规营养成分、氨基酸和脂肪酸构成比例进行测定分析,并评价其蛋白质营养价值。结果显示,黑白花兔肌肉中水分、粗蛋白质、粗脂肪和灰分含量分别为73.43%、21.67%、3.83%和1.13%,公、母兔间常规营养成分无显著差异（P>0.05）;黑白花兔肌肉中总氨基酸、必需氨基酸和鲜味氨基酸含量分别为196.53、78.64和70.80 mg/g;以氨基酸评分（AAS）为标准,第一限制性氨基酸是缬氨酸,第二限制性氨基酸是蛋氨酸+胱氨酸;以化学评分（CS）为标准,第一限制性氨基酸是蛋氨酸+胱氨酸,第二限制性氨基酸是缬氨酸,公、母兔间氨基酸含量均无显著差异（P>0.05）;脂肪酸构成比例中不饱和脂肪酸与饱和脂肪酸比为1.74;除棕榈油酸（C16：1）和亚麻酸（C18：3）外,公、母兔间其余脂肪酸含量均无显著差异（P>0.05）。综上所述,黑白花兔肌肉中蛋白质含量高,鲜味氨基酸和必需氨基酸含量丰富,氨基酸平衡性较好,不饱和脂肪酸含量高于饱和脂肪酸,营养价值较高,具有较好的食用价值。     

思南黄牛肉质营养特性研究

试验选用5头思南黄牛青年公牛,对其常规营养成分、钙、磷及氨基酸和脂肪酸进行了测定。结果表明:鲜肉的蛋白质含量为(22.95±0.27)%,脂肪含量为(4.94±2.73)%,必需氨基酸与氨基酸总量(EAA/TAA)的比值为42.50%(未计色氨酸);不饱和脂肪酸(UFA)占总脂肪酸(TFA)的比例为46.30%。思南黄牛肉富含蛋白质与必需氨基酸,脂肪含量适宜,肉质柔软而不腻、易消化、营养价值高,是优质的膳食肉资源。     

3种植物添加剂对惠阳胡须鸡肌肉氨基酸、脂肪酸组成与含量的影响

本试验旨在研究绿茶粉、桑叶粉和大蒜粉对鸡肌肉中氨基酸、脂肪酸含量和组成的影响，为植物添加剂在惠阳胡须鸡生产中的应用提供理论依据。选取120只120日龄体重相同、健康的惠阳胡须母鸡，随机分成4个处理，每个处理3个重复，每个重复10只。试验Ⅰ组，饲喂基础日粮+2%绿茶粉；试验Ⅱ组，饲喂基础日粮+4%桑叶粉；试验Ⅲ组，饲喂基础日粮+1.5%大蒜粉；对照组，饲喂基础日粮，预试验7 d，正式试验30 d。饲养试验结束后，每个处理随机选取10只鸡进行屠宰。每只屠宰鸡取同一部位胸肌100 g，通过氨基酸自动分析仪测定肌肉中氨基酸的组成和含量，通过气相色谱仪测定肌肉中脂肪酸的组成和含量。试验结果表明：①日粮中添加植物添加剂对肌肉中氨基酸的组成没有影响，但对肌肉中氨基酸的含量有影响，试验组必需氨基酸含量均显著高于对照组（P<0.05）；②日粮中添加植物添加剂对肌肉中脂肪酸的组成没有影响，但对肌肉中脂肪酸的含量有影响，对照组总饱和脂肪酸含量显著高于3个试验组（P<0.05），而3个试验组总多不饱和脂肪酸含量/总饱和脂肪酸含量的比值显著高于对照组（P<0.05）。本试验结果表明，日粮中添加植物添加剂不影响肌肉中氨基酸和脂肪酸的组成，但影响肌肉中两者的含量，显著降低鸡肌肉中饱和脂肪酸的含量，提高多不饱和脂肪酸的比例，增加必需氨基酸含量。因此，日粮中添加植物添加剂可改善惠阳胡须鸡肌肉品质。     

Fatty acid content in epididymal fluid and spermatozoa during sperm maturation in dogs

Background: During sperm maturation, there is a reorganization of fatty acids from plasmatic membrane of the spermatozoa, which allows higher membrane integrity and acquisition of sperm motility. However, the fatty acid profile during sperm maturation remains unclear in dogs. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify the fatty acids from the epididymal spermatozoa and plasma during the sperm maturation, and observed changes in the motility and plasmatic membrane parameters. Twenty one adult dogs were used, subsequently to bilateral orchiectomy and epididymal storage, sperm samples were collected from the different segments of the epididymis. Samples were evaluated for conventional microscopy, computer-assisted motility analysis, sperm plasma membrane permeability and the fatty acid analysis(lipids were extracted, transmethylated and analyzed by chromatography).Results: Caput and corpus sperm showed lower values for the motility variables evaluated and plasmatic membrane integrity, indicating different levels of the fatty acids organization. Saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids were in higher concentrations in the spermatozoa from epididymis cauda. Highlighting the presence of caprylic, stearic and docosahexaenoic acids.Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the influence of the fatty acid profile during sperm maturation, assigning physical and chemical changes in sperm cells, essential for fertilization.     

Fatty acid and energy metabolism in broiler chickens fed diets containing either beef tallow or an oil blend

The hypothesis tested was that the feeding of n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) results in more whole‐body fatty acid oxidation than the feeding of saturated fatty acids (SFA). It was reasoned that the increased fatty acid oxidation would be associated with enhanced whole‐body energy expenditure and stimulated de novo fatty acid synthesis. To put the hypothesis to the test, broiler chickens were fed diets containing either beef tallow as source of SFA or an oil blend as source of n‐6 PUFA. The broilers either had free access to their diet or were fed a restricted amount. Seven‐day‐old, male broiler chickens were used; they were kept individually in cages from 1 to 4 weeks of age. In the birds fed ad libitum, the n‐6 PUFA diet reduced average daily feed intake (ADFI), but did not significantly affect average daily weight gain (ADG) and the feed:conversion ratio (FCR). The lower ADFI on the n‐6 PUFA diet was associated with a higher apparent digestibility of total fatty acids. The ratio of deposition in the body to intake of digestible total PUFA, which reflected n‐6 PUFA, was significantly decreased by the n‐6 PUFA diet, pointing at preferentially increased n‐6 PUFA oxidation on the n‐6 PUFA diet. The ratio for n‐9 monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) was higher than 1.0, which agrees with net de novo synthesis, but the n‐6 PUFA diet induced a lower value than did the SFA diet. Feeding either the n‐6 PUFA or SFA diet did not influence energy expenditure expressed as percentage of energy intake. This study supports the idea that dietary n‐6 PUFA instead of SFA are preferentially oxidized, but no proof was obtained for enhanced energy expenditure and contrary to the hypothesis put forward, the n‐6 PUFA diet depressed de‐novo fatty acid synthesis.