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Feeding Algae Meal to Feedlot Lambs with Competent Reticular Groove Reflex Increases Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Meat.

Pilar Gómez-CortésMiguel Angel de la FuenteFrancisco Peña BlancoNieves Núñez-SánchezFrancisco RequenaAndrés Luís Martínez-Marín
Published in: Foods (Basel, Switzerland) (2021)
The aim of this study was to compare the effects of supplementing marine algae as a source of omega-3 fatty acids (FA) in the diet, mixed in the concentrate or bottle-fed, on intramuscular fat FA composition of lambs with competent reticular groove reflex (RGR). Forty-eight feedlot lambs were distributed in three equal groups: one group did not consume marine algae nor had competent RGR, the second group received a daily dose (2.5%) of algae meal in the concentrate and the last group consumed the same dose of algae meal emulsified in milk replacer and bottle-fed. Marine algae raised the contents of EPA, DPA, and mainly DHA in the intramuscular fat, but the increase was significantly higher when algae meal was administered with a bottle via RGR. This strategy could contribute to improvements in the marketing of lamb meat by optimizing its status as a healthier food.
Keyphrases
  • fatty acid
  • physical activity
  • adipose tissue
  • weight loss
  • climate change
  • risk assessment
  • human health