Mare Milk and Foal Plasma Fatty Acid Composition in Foals Born to Mares Fed Either Flax or Fish Oil During Late Gestation

Summary

Simple Summary Fish oil provides animals with eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids, omega-3 fatty acids that have many important roles in animal health. In comparison, terrestrial plants provide the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid, a fatty acid that grazing animals can metabolize into EPA and DHA. The current study supplemented late-gestation mares with one of three treatments: fish oil, flaxseed, or unsupplemented controls. This was carried out to compare the effects and benefits of these fatty acid sources on their blood and milk fatty acid compositions. The mares received treatments beginning on day 310 of gestation and continued through day 5 post-parturition. Blood and milk samples were collected from the mares, and blood samples were collected from the foals