Maternal dietary n-3 fatty acids affect yolk and liver composition in broiler progeny Astrid Koppenol

Introduction Yolk provides FA to embryo (80% absorbed) YSM: uptake and transfer of lipids from yolk to embryonic circulation Consumption eggs: dietary  yolk n-3 PUFA Broilers? n-3 PUFA  eicosanoids  immunity - 50% of total amount of FA originally present in the yolk incorporated into tissues of chick - 50% of total FA present in yolk undergoes β-oxidation to provide energy

Objectives Investigate the effect of dietary FA’s in breeder feed Arachidonic acid AA (20:4 n-6) Eicosapentaenoic acid EPA (20:5 n-3) Docosahexaenoic acid DHA (22:6 n-3) on: FA composition of Yolk Residual yolk Progeny liver

Experimental Design d1 d14 d30 4 T: 1. control (AA) 2. EPA=DHA 3. DHA>EPA 4. EPA> DHA d1 d14 d30 Fresh yolk Residual yolk Liver

Results and Discussion Egg, yolk and residual yolk weight Significant differences in Egg weight Yolk weight Residual yolk weight between control group and n-3 enriched groups

Results and Discussion n-6/n-3 ratio Fresh yolk Residual yolk Control eggs: more n-6 FA Less n-3 FA Dietary n-3 enrichment lowers n-6/n-3

Results and Discussion AA, EPA and DHA conc Fresh yolk Residual yolk FRESH YOLK Control group: Higher AA conc Lower DHA and EPA conc Dietary EPA increases EPA and DHA in yolk Dietary DHA results in only higher DHA conc Effect is less pronounced All enriched groups: Much more DHA available for the Progeny compared to control group

Results and Discussion AA, EPA and DHA conc LIVER D1 EPA conc in DHA group is increased compared to RY conc All conc are higher Biomagnification of essential PUFA

Results and Discussion Biomagnification of essential PUFA = proportion of essential C20-22 FA increases each stage of transfer process from RY to embryo Preferential uptake from yolk by YSM In YSM: DHA translocated to TAG, resulting in enriched VLDL released into circulation Preferential mobilisation from adipose TAG into plasma

Results and Discussion DHA vs EPA DHA more present early in the post hatch life, while EPA remains low and equal in progeny liver

Conclusion Dietary n-3 enrichment Decrease egg weight, yolk weight and residual yolk weight Lowers n-6/n-3 ratio in fresh yolk and residual yolk More DHA available for transfer to offspring from residual yolk Adding DHA to maternal diet results in higher DHA concentration in fresh and residual yolk Adding EPA to maternal diet results in more EPA and DHA in residual yolk Biomagnification during transfer from RY to tissue of offspring DHA present in higher conc early in post hatch life

Thank you for your attention! Any Questions? Astrid Koppenol