Incorporation of sunflower oil or linseed oil in equine compound feedstuff: 1 Effects on haematology and on fatty acids profiles in the red blood cells membranes.
Authors: Patoux S, Istasse L
Journal: Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Sunflower and Linseed Oil Supplementation in Equine Diets Patoux and Istasse investigated whether dietary incorporation of oils rich in different essential fatty acids could modify red blood cell membrane composition and systemic haematology in eight trained sport horses, using a controlled crossover design with three 8-week feeding periods. Two supplemented diets—one containing 8% sunflower oil (high in linoleic acid, LA) and another with 8% linseed oil (high in alpha-linolenic acid, ALA)—were compared against a control diet of hay and barley/spelt concentrate, with all horses consuming approximately 278 g of added oil daily. Both oil supplements significantly elevated circulating red blood cell counts, haemoglobin and haematocrit values, whilst platelet concentrations showed a minor declining trend; however, most standard haematology parameters remained unaffected. Crucially, sunflower oil supplementation produced modest increases in membrane-bound linoleic acid but reduced several other fatty acids including arachidonic acid (ARA), whereas linseed oil induced similar shifts toward n-3 series fatty acid enrichment. For practitioners aiming to optimise oxygen-carrying capacity and potentially enhance recovery in sport horses, linseed oil supplementation appears the more promising option—improving both red cell parameters and promoting the anti-inflammatory n-3 fatty acid profile—though the practical performance implications warrant further investigation in working populations.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Adding 8% linseed oil to compound feed improves blood oxygen-carrying capacity (higher RBC, haemoglobin, haematocrit) and optimises n-3/n-6 fatty acid balance, potentially enhancing aerobic performance in trained horses
- •Linseed oil appears superior to sunflower oil for improving inflammatory profiles through enhanced n-3 and reduced n-6 fatty acids in cell membranes, supporting recovery and joint health
- •Monitor platelet counts if using oil supplementation, though the clinical significance of mild decreases observed here is unclear
Key Findings
- •Sunflower oil and linseed oil supplementation at 8% significantly increased RBC concentration, haemoglobin, and haematocrit levels compared to control diet
- •Linseed oil improved n-3 fatty acid profiles in RBC membranes while reducing n-6 series fatty acids including arachidonic acid (1.17 vs 1.63 mg/dl, p=0.08)
- •Sunflower oil slightly increased linoleic acid (36.23 vs 34.72 mg/dl) but decreased palmitoleic acid and arachidonic acid in RBC membranes
- •Both oil-based diets showed platelet counts tending to decrease, with no other significant changes to general haematology profiles