Effect of dietary krill oil supplementation on horse red blood cell membrane fatty acid composition and blood parameters.
Authors: Nyquist Nicole Frost, Burri Lena, Jensen Rasmus Bovbjerg
Journal: Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Krill Oil and Equine Red Blood Cell Fatty Acid Composition Marine-derived omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids—specifically EPA and DHA—have demonstrated health benefits across species, yet their application in equine nutrition remains poorly characterised despite krill oil's established safety and bioavailability in humans and other animals. Researchers supplemented five Norwegian cold-blooded trotter geldings with krill oil at 10 mL per 100 kg bodyweight for 35 days, measuring red blood cell membrane fatty acid profiles, haematological parameters and serum biochemistry at weekly intervals. The supplement was well tolerated with no adverse effects observed, whilst producing substantial biochemical changes: the n-3 index increased dramatically from 0.53% to 4.05% of total RBC fatty acids (p<0.001), with corresponding significant increases in EPA and DHA concentrations and total n-3 fatty acids, coupled to a reduction in n-6 fatty acids and an improved n-6:n-3 ratio. For practitioners managing equine inflammatory conditions, recovery protocols or performance optimisation, these findings suggest krill oil represents a palatable and effective tool for favourably rebalancing cellular fatty acid composition towards a more anti-inflammatory state, though validation across larger, more diverse equine populations and longer supplementation periods would strengthen clinical recommendations.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Krill oil is a safe, palatable supplement for horses that successfully modifies RBC membrane fatty acid composition toward higher n-3 levels within 5 weeks
- •Practitioners considering marine omega-3 supplementation for equine health should note that krill oil demonstrates biological activity in horses, though long-term health outcome data is still limited
- •The improved n-3 index and n-6:n-3 ratio may support anti-inflammatory effects, but this small study provides proof-of-concept only—larger trials with clinical outcome measures are needed
Key Findings
- •Krill oil supplementation at 10 mL/100 kg BW increased the n-3 index in red blood cell membranes from 0.53% to 4.05% over 35 days (p<0.001)
- •EPA and DHA combined increased significantly (p<0.001) while n-6 fatty acids decreased (p=0.044), resulting in a lower n-6:n-3 ratio (p<0.001)
- •Krill oil was well-tolerated by all horses with no adverse health effects observed during the 35-day trial period
- •RBC membrane fatty acid composition responded to dietary krill oil supplementation, demonstrating biological availability in horses