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Oocyte quality in lactating dairy cows fed on high levels of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids

A Fouladi, Veterinary Basic Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, United Kingdom
K Wonnacott, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, United Kingdom
C Gutierrez, Mexico City, Mexico
J Gong, Roslin Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
K Sinclair, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, United Kingdom
P Garnsworthy, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, United States
R Webb, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, United Kingdom

Correspondence: Robert Webb, Email: Bob.Webb{at}nottingham.ac.uk

Abstract

Different fatty acid sources are known to influence reproductive hormones in cattle, yet there is little information on how dietary fatty acids might affect oocyte quality. Effects of three dietary sources of fatty acids (supplying predominantly palmitic and oleic, linoleic (n-6) or linolenic (n-3) acids) on developmental potential of oocytes were studied in lactating dairy cows. Twelve Holstein cows received 3 diets containing rumen inert fat (RIF), soyabean or linseed as the main fatty acid source for 3 periods of 25 days in a Latin-square design. Within each period, oocytes were collected in 4 ovum pick up (OPU) sessions at 3 - 4 day intervals. Fatty acid profiles in plasma and milk reflected profiles of dietary fatty acid sources, but major fatty acids in granulosa cells were not affected. Dietary fatty acid source did not affect plasma concentrations of leptin, insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I, growth hormone or amino acids. RIF led to higher proportion of cleaved embryos than soya or linseed, but blastocyst yield and embryo quality were not affected. It is concluded that the ovary buffers oocytes against effects of fluctuations in plasma n-3 and n-6 fatty acids, resulting in only modest effects on their developmental potential.

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