Ra. Hansen et al., DURATION OF EFFECTS OF DIETARY FISH-OIL SUPPLEMENTATION ON SERUM EICOSAPENTAENOIC ACID AND DOCOSAHEXAENOIC ACID CONCENTRATIONS IN DOGS, American journal of veterinary research, 59(7), 1998, pp. 864-868
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.