Different Lengths of Diet Supplementation with 10% Flaxseed Alter the Hormonal Profile and the Follicular Fluid Fatty Acid Content of Fattening Gilts

TL;DR

Feeding gilts 10% flaxseed for different durations changes hormone levels and fatty acid profiles in their follicles, affecting reproduction.

Contribution

This study reveals how varying flaxseed supplementation periods alter hormonal and fatty acid profiles in fattening gilts.

Findings

Short-term flaxseed feeding inhibits steroidogenesis and IGF-I secretion in small follicles.

Long-term flaxseed feeding increases saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in follicular fluid.

Flaxseed alters follicular hormone secretion in a dose-dependent manner when combined with regulatory hormones.

Abstract

The effect of 10% dietary flaxseed fed for 3 and 6 weeks on serum hormone levels of fattening gilts, the fatty acid (FA) follicular fluid (FF) composition of small and large antral follicles, and the steroidogenesis and IGF-I secretion by isolated small antral follicles and their response to regulatory hormones (LH, FSH, IGF-I) was studied using immunoassay and gas chromatography analyses. Both supplemental periods increased levels of P4 and IGF-I in blood serum. A shorter period inhibited steroidogenesis (P4, T, E2) and IGF-I secretion by small antral follicles, which was associated with decreased levels of monounsaturated FAs (MUFA) and preferred n-6 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) metabolism. A longer period stimulated hormone secretion at elevated levels of saturated FAs (SFA) at the expense of MUFAs and PUFAs preferring the n-3 PUFA metabolism. Out of ovarian regulators, only LH and IGF-I were able to alter the secretion of steroids and IGF-I by small follicles of fattening pigs fed a basal diet. The effect of flaxseed on the secretion of follicular hormones after both supplemental periods was altered by all regulatory hormones in a dose-dependent manner. The level of SFAs and PUFAs in FF of large follicles increased with the length of flaxseed feeding, suggesting the suppression of ovulation.

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