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

2. 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

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. 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

12. Thank you for your attention! Any Questions?
Astrid Koppenol