Bovine muscle n−3 fatty acid content is increased with flaxseed feeding

Abstract

We examined the ability of n-3 FA in flaxseed-supplemented rations to increase the n-3 FA content of bovine muscle. Two groups of animals were used in each of two separate trials: (i) Hereford steers supplemented (or not) with ground flaxseed (907 g/d) for 71 d, and (ii) Angus steers supplemented (or not) with ground flaxseed (454 g/d for 3 d followed by 907 g/d for 110 d). For the Hereford group, flaxseed-supplemented rations increased 18:3n-3 (4.0-fold), 20:5n-3 (1.4-fold), and 22:5n-3 (1.3-fold) mass as compared with the control, and increased total n-3 mass about 1.7-fold. When these data were expressed as mol%, the increase in 18:3n-3 was 3.3-fold and in 20:5n-3 was 1.3-fold in the phospholipid fraction, and 18:3n-3 was increased 4-fold in the neutral lipid fraction. For the Angus group, flaxseed ingestion increased masses and composition of n-3 FA similarly to that for the Herefords and doubled the total n-3 FA mass. The effect of cooking to a common degree of doneness on FA composition was determined using steaks from a third group of cattle, which were Angus steers. We demonstrated no adverse effects on FA composition by grilling steaks to an internal temperature of 64 degrees C. Because n-3 FA may affect gene expression, we used quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction to quantify the effect of feeding flaxseed on heart-FA binding protein, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) and alpha (PPARalpha) gene expression in the muscle tissue. PPARgamma mRNA level was increased 2.7-fold in the flaxseed-fed Angus steers compared with the control. Thus, we demonstrate a significant increase in n-3 FA levels in bovine muscle from cattle fed rations supplemented with flaxseed and increased expression of genes that regulate lipid metabolism.

A grass-based diet favours muscle n-3 long-chain PUFA deposition without modifying gene expression of proteins involved in their synthesis or uptake in Charolais steers

“…In the same way, previously published data show either no significant change or an inhibitory effect of ALA-enriched diets (namely linseed or grass) on gene expression of D5 and D6 desaturases and elongases 2 and 5 in rats (Tu et al, 2010), and on gene expression of desaturases in piglets (Missotten et al, 2009) and in bulls (Herdmann et al, 2010a;Hiller et al, 2011). Similarly, for genes involved in n-3 LCPUFA uptake, Kronberg et al (2006) reported no significant change in mRNA level of FABP3 in the LT muscle of bovines given a diet enriched in flaxseed compared with those given a control diet. Therefore, the increase in muscle n-3 LCPUFA of steers fed the GF diet in the current study did not seem to be related to a stimulation of the expression of genes involved in their biosynthesis and/or uptake.…”

Meat nutritional composition and nutritive role in the human diet

“…Omega 3 content in meat depends mainly on the feeding system and it is higher in grass or forage-based diets (Nuernberg, Dannenberger, et al, 2005;Nuernberg, Fischer, et al, 2005;Realini, Duckett, Brito, Dalla Rizza, & De Mattos, 2004). It can also be achieved through supplementation with fish oil (Wistuba, Kegley, & Apple, 2006), linseed or flaxseed (Bilek & Turhan, 2009;Kronberg, Barceló-Coblijn, Shin, Lee, & Murphy, 2006). However, in some studies, undesirable flavor and palatibility changes have been reported especially with fish oil supplementation (Nuernberg, Dannenberger, et al, 2005;Nuernberg, Fischer, et al, 2005;Wistuba et al, 2006).…”

Inclusion of Flaxseed in Hay‐ and Barley Silage Diets Increases Alpha‐Linolenic Acid in Cow Plasma Independent of Forage Type

“…Plasma lipids were extracted using the procedures described previously [4,24] with minor modifications. On occasions where the suppliers are not designated, chemicals were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich Canada.…”

“…Previous studies in cattle suggest that including flaxseed in diets increases plasma alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3) levels [1][2][3] and its levels in beef [4,5]. Health-promoting omega-3 (or n-3) fatty acids [6,7] and conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) including rumenic acid (RUA, 18:2-c9,t11) [8] have been shown to increase in the fat of ruminants supplemented with flaxseed.…”