DIETARY ALPHA-LINOLENIC ACID ALTERS THE FATTY-ACID COMPOSITION OF LIPID CLASSES IN SWINE TISSUES

The effects of dietary 18:3n-3 on the fatty acid composition of total lipids and lipid classes of pig tissues were investigated. Pigs (n = 2 5) were fed diets containing 18:3n-3 at 0% (control), 1.5% (LNA1), 2.5 % (LNA2), and 3.6% (LNA3). The total lipid content of the tissues was not affected by dietary treatment. Feeding LNA1, LNA2, and LNA3 diets increased (P < 0.05) the 18:3n-3 and 20:5n-3 content in the total lipi ds, triglyceride, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylcholine of all tissues except brain. The enrichment of 18:3n-3 was mainly in the triglycerides. Long-chain n-6 and n-3 fatty acids were incorporated i n the phosphatidylethanolamine. Arachidonic acid and monounsaturated f atty acids were reduced in the phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatid ylcholine of all tissues except for brain by dietary 18:3n-3. The 22:6 n-3 content of brain was not altered by dietary 18:3n-3, indicating a resistance of brain tissue to dietary manipulation.