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Increased Prostaglandin Response to Oxytocin in Ewes Fed a Diet High in Omega‐6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids
Author(s) -
Gulliver Catherine E.,
Friend Michael A.,
King Belinda J.,
Robertson Susan M.,
Wilkins John F.,
Clayton Edward H.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
lipids
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.601
H-Index - 120
eISSN - 1558-9307
pISSN - 0024-4201
DOI - 10.1007/s11745-012-3745-3
Subject(s) - oxytocin , prostaglandin , polyunsaturated fatty acid , lipidology , silage , clinical chemistry , metabolite , medicine , endocrinology , prostaglandin f , chemistry , biology , zoology , fatty acid , biochemistry
Diets high in omega‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐6) are associated with increased prostaglandin F 2α (PGF 2α ) synthesis in cattle, however, the specific effects on the potential prostaglandin response to an oxytocin challenge in sheep have not been reported. The aim of the current study was to determine whether oxytocin‐stimulated PGF 2α was significantly increased when ewes were fed a diet high in n‐6 compared with a control diet low in n‐6. Merino x Border Leicester ewes ( n = 30) received one of two dietary treatments, either high in n‐6 (70 % oat grain) or low in n‐6 (control diet, 100 % cereal/legume silage). Ewes consumed the diets for 44 days prior to two consecutive oxytocin challenges. Plasma n‐6 and PGF 2α metabolite (PGFM) concentrations following oxytocin challenge were greater ( P < 0.05) when ewes were fed a diet high in n‐6 compared with the control diet. A higher availability of n‐6 may have lead to an increased in vivo synthesis of PGF 2α , however, further research is required to determine the exact mechanisms involved.