ACCUMULATION OF POLYUNSATURATED FATTY-ACIDS BY CONCENTRATE SELECTING RUMINANTS

Depot fat samples from ruminants of different feeding type and-for com parison-fat samples from simple-stomached animals were collected withi n 3 months. Individual fatty acid proportions, especially the relation of essential, polyunsaturated fatty acids to nonessential, saturated plus monounsaturated fatty acids were analyzed by gas chromatography. Species can be separated into two distinct groups: Depot fat of wild b oar showed by far the highest content of essential fatty acids compare d with all ruminant species. The subsequent inter-ruminant comparison yielded a further separation into two distinct groups related to feedi ng type. Roe deer and moose, constituting the first group of concentra te selectors, showed significantly higher percentages of polyunsaturat ed fatty acids than the other ruminant species comprised of the grass and roughage eaters or intermediates. The data document that the mode of feeding and/or the diet affects the body composition of the species investigated and that the depot fat composition of these ruminant spe cies is markedly related to feeding type. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science In c. All rights reserved.