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Table 3 Effects of dietary functional fatty acids on reproductive performance of livestock

From: Role of functional fatty acids in modulation of reproductive potential in livestock

Livestock

Oil source

Stage of pregnancy

Main findings and potential mechanism

Reference

Sows

Butyrate

Late pregnancy

Shorten the weaning-to-estrus interval

[176]

Sows

Butyrate

Pregnancy and lactation

Reduced the rate of gilts return to estrus, alter the composition of colostrum and enhance the growth rate of piglets

[177]

Ewes

Oleic

Late gestation

Increased PGE2 production in both endometrium and fetal allantochorion cells and increasing the ratio of PGE2 to PGF2α in endometrium cells

[178]

Sows

Conjugated linoleic acid

Late pregnancy and lactation

Reduced backfat thickness loss during the lactation period and leading to higher piglet weight at weaning

[179]

Ewes

Linoleic acid

Late pregnancy

Enhanced placental PG production by increased the supply of 20:4n-6

[180]

Cows

Conjugated linoleic acid

Period started 21 d pre-calving and continued until 60 d in milk

Increased conception rate and serum concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1), estradiol and progesterone were higher

[181]

Cows

α-linolenic acid

55 ± 22 d postpartum

Increased the size of the ovulatory follicle and reduced pregnancy losses

[182]

Cows

α-linolenic acid

21 d before expected calving

Decreased incidence of ketosis and severe metritis, reduced mortality, and tending to enhance fertility performance

[183]

Sows

Linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid

Pregnancy

Rapid return to estrus, increased maintenance of pregnancy and improved subsequent litter size

[184]

Cows

DHA

From 27 to 147 d postpartum

Enhanced embryo development based on changes in interferon-stimulated gene expression

[185]

Sows

Fish oil

60 d before parturition to weaning

Increased subsequent litter and litter size

[19]

Sows

Marine algae

Five days prior parturition to breeding

Increased subsequent litter and litter size

[186]