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Safety of Algal Oil Containing EPA and DHA in cats during gestation, lactation and growth
Author(s) -
Vuorinen Anna,
BaileyHall Eileen,
Karagiannis Alexios,
Yu Shiguang,
Roos Franz,
Sylvester Erin,
Wilson Jon,
Dahms Irina
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.651
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 1439-0396
pISSN - 0931-2439
DOI - 10.1111/jpn.13324
Subject(s) - cats , lactation , bioavailability , reproduction , zoology , docosahexaenoic acid , gestation , biology , nutrient , pregnancy , food science , polyunsaturated fatty acid , fatty acid , medicine , biochemistry , pharmacology , ecology , genetics
Algal Oil Containing EPA and DHA (AOCED) at approximately 50% was developed as a sustainable n−3 fatty acid source. AOCED was incorporated in diets at dose levels of 0%, 0.75%, 1.5% and 3.0% (w/w) and administered to healthy domestic shorthair female cats starting two weeks before mating, then during mating, gestation, lactation and to their kittens until they reached 32 weeks of age. The diets were made isocaloric and met the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nutrient requirements of cats for growth and reproduction. Dietary AOCED treatment did not affect the overall health, physiological parameters, food consumption and body weights of the queens and their kittens. No AOCED‐related changes in haematology, coagulation or clinical chemistry parameters were observed in either generation when compared to control cats. Plasma levels of EPA and DHA were dose‐dependently increased in both generations, demonstrating bioavailability of the fatty acids. In this study, safety of AOCED at levels up to 3.0% in the diet was demonstrated in cats with administration starting in utero and until kittens reached 32 weeks of age. Bioavailability of EPA and DHA in cats supports use of AOCED as a source of EPA and DHA for feline growth and reproduction.