Abstract #358

# 358
Colostrum supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids alters plasma fatty acid profile and inflammatory mediators in newborn calves during the first week of life.
J. Opgenorth*1, L. M. Sordillo1, A. L. Lock1, J. C. Gandy1, M. J. VandeHaar1, 1Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.

Unresolved inflammation and oxidative stress (OS) can lead to decreased calf vitality. Omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FA) produce cell mediators during metabolism that function to resolve and repair inflammatory and oxidative damage. We hypothesized n-3 FA enriched oils supplemented up to 120 mL to colostrum would linearly decrease OS, increase n-3 byproducts of FA metabolism, and increase plasma n-3 FA during the first week of life. Twenty-four Holstein calves were randomly assigned to receive 0 (Con), 30, 60, or 120 mL of a 1:1 mix of fish and flax oils (FFtrt 30, 60, 120) supplemented in colostrum. All calves received 3 L colostrum within 6 h of birth. Blood was sampled before colostrum feeding and on 1, 2, 4, 7, and 14 d of age to assess plasma FA, phospholipid FA, oxidant status, and oxylipid concentrations. Plasma FA and oxylipids were determined with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and phospholipid FA were determined with gas-liquid chromatography. Health indicators were observed daily. Data were analyzed with a mixed procedure in SAS version 9.4 including treatment, sex, and day as fixed effects and calf and block as random effects. FFtrt 30, 60, and 120 increased n-3 free FA concentrations by 23 to 90% in the first week of life (P < 0.01). Compared with control, FFtrt linearly increased n-3 FA of plasma phospholipids (Con: 4.3, FFtrt 30: 4.7, FFtrt 60: 5.7, FFtrt 120: 6.2 g/100g ; P < 0.01) and some n-3 FA derived oxylipids such as 14,15-dihydroxy-eicosa-tetraenoic acid (14,15-Di-HETE) (P < 0.01) and 19,20-dihydroxy-docosapentaenoic acid (19,20-Di-HDPA) (P = 0.01), but did not change oxidant status (P = 0.35). Treatments did not alter calf health or growth (P > 0.22). All variables returned to control values by d 14. In conclusion, a colostrum supplement of n-3 FA administered in volumes of 30, 60, and 120 mL linearly increased plasma concentrations of n-3 FA and n-3 FA metabolites, but did not alter overall oxidant status.

Key Words: omega-3, oxidative stress, oxylipids