Incorporation of sunflower oil or linseed oil in equine compound feedstuff: 1 Effects on haematology and on fatty acids profiles in the red blood cells membranes

Abstract

Eight trained horses (6 mares - 2 geldings, 6 Selle Français, 2 Trotteur Français, 12 ± 5.8 years old, 538 ± 72.5 kg) were offered three diets to potentially affect haematology and the fatty acids (FA) profiles in red blood cells (RBC) membranes. The control diet was composed of 50% hay and 50% concentrate containing mainly rolled barley (48%) and whole spelt (48%). In the case of sunflower oil diet, sunflower oil (62.0% of α-linoleic acid, LA) was incorporated at a rate of 8% and substituted by an equal proportion of barley. In the linseed oil diet, first cold-pressed linseed oil (56.0% of α-linolenic acid, ALA) was utilised at a similar incorporation rate of 8%. The experimental design consisted of three 3 × 3 latin squares with one being incomplete. Each period lasted 8 weeks. On average, the total feed intake (straw excluded) was 6.2 kg/day and the oil intake 0.278 kg/day. The oils significantly increased the concentrations of RBC, haemoglobin and haematocrit. The oils had no significant impact on the haematology profiles except that platelets tended to decrease in both oil-based diets. The most abundant FA in the RBC membranes of the control diet samples were in the decreasing order LA, C18:1n9-7, C18:0, C16:0 and the arachidonic acid (ARA) respectively. The sunflower oil supplementation slightly increased the amount of LA (36.23 vs. 34.72 mg/dl, p = 0.55) and C22:4n-6 (0.21 vs. 0.09 mg/dl, p = 0.22), while the decrease was observed in case of other FA (C16:1n-7, 1.08 vs. 1.42 mg/dl, p = 0.03), C20:3n-6 (0.22 vs. 0.31 mg/dl, p = 0.02), and ARA (1.17 vs. 1.63 mg/dl, p = 0.08). Linseed oil induced similar effects in the n-6 series FA profiles. In the context of practical applications, our results show that linseed oil incorporation in the diet could improve the haematology and the n-3 FA profiles potentially leading to an increased performance.

Effect of Linseed (Linum usitatissimum) Groats-Based Mixed Feed Supplements on Diet Nutrient Digestibility and Blood Parameters of Horses

“…Horses have low fatty acid elongation activity, which is important for the inflammatory response, and there is speculation that linseed as a source of omega-3 PUFA may decrease signs of laminitis by inhibiting inflammatory mediators [17]. In a quite recent study [18], increased concentrations of red blood cells, haemoglobin and haematocrit, as well as improved n-3 fatty acid profiles, were reported as a result of linseed oil supplementation. Vineyard et al [19] found that supplementing horses with milled linseed resulted in pronounced early inflammatory responses to phytohaemagglutinin injections.…”

Rice Bran in Old Horses Nutrition and its Influence on Condition, Blood Biochemical Parameters, Total Feces Bacteria and Methanogen Population

“…Their importance, especially the n-6 to n-3 ratio, in equine physiology may include improving exercise tolerance, reducing inflammation, and improving reproductive function. In the experiment by Patoux and Istasse (2016) supplementation of sport horse diets with sunflower oil slightly increased the amount of C18:2 n-6 and C22: 4 n-6 acids, while a decrease was observed in the case of C16:1 n-7, C20:3 n-6 and C20:4 n-6. A similar effect on n-6 fatty acid profiles was observed when linseed oil was supplemented.…”