DURATION OF EFFECTS OF DIETARY FISH-OIL SUPPLEMENTATION ON SERUM EICOSAPENTAENOIC ACID AND DOCOSAHEXAENOIC ACID CONCENTRATIONS IN DOGS

Objective-To determine how long serum concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids remain elevated after cessation of dietary fish oil supplementat ion. Animals-12 healthy Beagles. Procedure-Baseline serum concentratio ns of linoleic acid, linolenic acid, arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapent aenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were measured. Dogs were then fed a diet supplemented with soybean oil or fish oil for 8 w eeks, and serum fatty acid concentrations were measured while dogs wer e fed the experimental diets and for 18 weeks after they were switched to a maintenance diet. Results-For dogs fed the fish oil diet, serum EPA and DHA concentrations were significantly increased by week 1 and remained increased for 7 (DHA concentration) or 3 (EPA concentration) weeks after dietary fish oil supplementation was discontinued. Conclus ions-In dogs, supplementation of the diet with fish oil may have effec ts for several weeks after dietary supplementation is discontinued. Cl inical Relevance-Studies of the effects of fish oil supplementation th at use a crossover design should allow for an appropriate washout peri od.