Flaxseed Containing Lipid Supplement Improves Omega-3 Concentrations and Omega-6-to-Omega-3 Fatty Acid Ratios in Bovine Serum

In humans, circulating omega-3 fatty acids are associated positively with health outcomes and lower chronic inflammation. To determine whether a flaxseed containing lipid supplement 12BT40 (N3Feed® LLC; Tualatin, OR) increases omega-3 content in bovine serum, we fed 6 mid- to late-lactation, pregnant Holstein cows (1 block each for primaparous and multiparous cows) for 6 wk consecutively 0 (Control; 1 week), 0.91 (1 week), 1.81 (2 weeks), and 2.72 kg/d (2 weeks) 12BT40 as top-dressing. Serum samples were collected at the end of each treatment period and analyzed for fatty acid profile. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS version 9.4. Fixed effects were supplementation rate (linear, quadratic and cubic) and parity; cow was the random effect. 12BT40 supplementation rates increased linearly (linear P=0.01) total FFA concentrations in serum by 12%. 21%, and 42% for 0, 0.91, 1.81, and 2.72 kg/d of 12BT40. The serum omega-3 concentrations increased from 8.6 to 18.2, 22.3, 28.3±3.2 μg/mL, when 0, 0.91, 1.81, and 2.72 kg/d of 12BT40 was fed (linear P_<0.0001; quadratic P=0.003); the serum omega-6 concentrations increased from 35.2 to 38.3, 41.5, and 44.2±4.9 μg/mL (linear P=0.10). As a result, the omega-6-to-omega-3 ratio in serum improved from 4.06 to 2.10, 1.87, and 1.60±0.07 (linear, quadratic and cubic all P_<0.0001). Based on these results, we conclude that feeding up to 2.72 kg/d 12BT40 improves omega-3 concentrations and omega-6-to-omega-3fatty acid ratios in bovine serum.