Effect of maternal dietary n-3 fatty acids on the accretion of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in the tissues of developing chick embryo.

The effect of maternal diets on the accretion of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the brain and liver tissue of developing chick embryos was investigated. Hens were fed diets containing high (HLNA) or low levels of 18:3n-3 (LLNA). The HLNA diet increased (p < 0.05) the content of the 18:3n-3, 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3 in the yolk lipids with a concomitant reduction (p < 0.005) in 20:4n-6. Diet and time significantly (p < 0.05) affected the transfer of 22:6n-3 (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA) and 20:4n-6 acid from the HLNA and LLNA yolk lipid. In the brain of HLNA chick embryos, a diet- and time-associated increase (p < 0.05) in the phospholipid content was observed. In the brain of HLNA and LLNA embryos, DHA levels increased (p < 0.05) from day 15 to the day of hatching, with a concomitant reduction (p < 0.05) in the liver. The accretion of arachidonic acid plateaued on day 15 in the brain of HLNA and LLNA embryos.