Fatty Acid Composition in Blood Plasma and Follicular Liquid in Cows Supplemented with Linseed or Canola Grains

This study was carried out to evaluate the fatty acid composition in Nellore cows supplemented with either linseed (n-3) or canola grains (n-6 and n-9). Fifteen Nellore cows, aged five years and bodyweight 550 kg${\pm}$48 kg, were randomly distributed to the following treatments: CON (control), LIN (linseed) and CAN (canola grains). The cows were fed for 80 days. The concentrations of C18:0, C18:2 n-6 and C20:3 n-6 fatty acid were higher (p<0.10) in CON blood plasma in comparison to follicular liquid. Likewise, PUFA, n-6 contents, PUFA:SFA and n-6:n-3 ratios were higher (p<0.10) in blood plasma. On the other hand, C18:1 n-9, C22:5 n-3, MUFA and n-3 contents were lower (p<0.10) in blood plasma. C18:0, C18:2 n-6, C18:3 n-3, C22:5 n-3, PUFA, n-6, n-3 contents and PUFA:SFA ratio were higher (p<0.10) in LIN blood plasma than in the follicular liquid. Nevertheless, C14:0, C16:0, C16:1 n-7, PUFA, C16:0, C18:1 n-9 and MUFA contents were lower (p<0.10) in LIN blood plasma. On treatment CAN, the C18:0 and SFA contents, and n-6:n-3 ratios were higher (p<0.10) in blood plasma. However, C20:3 n-6, C22:5 n-3, PUFA and n-3 contents were lower (p<0.10) in blood plasma. C16:0, C18:0, PUFA, SFA contents and PUFA:SFA ratio did not differ (p>0.10) among the treatments. C14:0, C16:1 n-7, C18:2 n-6 and n-6 contents were higher (p<0.10) for CON and CAN than LIN. C17:1 n-7, C20:4 n-6 and C 22:0 contents were higher (p<0.10) for CAN than CON and LIN. C18:1 n-9, C18:3 n-3, MUFA and n-3 contents were higher (p<0.10) for LIN and CAN than CON. C20:3 n-6 content and n-6:n-3 ratio were higher (p<0.10) for CON than LIN and CAN. C22:5 n-3 content were higher (p<0.10) for CON and LIN than CAN. The concentrations of fatty acids in blood plasma and follicular liquid were not correlated for any fatty acid, independent of the treatment studied. Canola grain added to the diet of Nellore cows resulted in increased concentrations of fatty acids n-6 and n-3 in follicular liquid.