Hypocholesterolemic effect of fat feed in the diets of growing pigs

Thirty six Polish Landrace fatteners of both sexes divided into 3 groups we re fed from 70 to 100 kg body weight with a complete mixture containing 0.8 or 15% calcium salts of linseed oil fatty acids (CaFAS-L). The mixtures we re characterized by an increased proportion of PUFA n-3 and a favourable pr oportion of PUFA n-6 to PUFA n-3, which were 1:6.7; 1:2.1 and 1:1.2 respect ively. CaFAS-L supplementation was observed to have no effect on the total cholesterol content in the blood serum of gilts. There was a tendency for a n increased HDL content. Total cholesterol in the blood serum of barrows wa s observed to decrease from 98.6 mg/dl in the control group to 88.5 mg/dl i n the group supplemented with 15% CaFAS-L. HDL was observed to increase and LDL to decrease. Total cholesterol content of the longissimus dorsi muscle of gilts decreased from 57.1 mg/100 g fresh tissue in the control group to 51.1 mg/100 g fresh tissue in the group supplemented with 15% CaFAS-L, The decrease of this parameter was less conspicuous in the muscles of barrows. The differences were not significant for any of the traits studied, either in the blood serum or longissimus dorsi muscle of both barrows and gilts. The results obtained in the present study indicate that the hypocholesterol emic influence of dietary PUFA. n-3 is more pronounced in the blood serum o f pigs, especially in barrows, while its effects on cholesterol changes in the longissimus dorsi muscle are more evident in the meat of gilts.