Dietary omega-3 fatty acid supplementation does not impair vitamin E status or promote lipid peroxidation in growing horses.

Omega-3 (n-3; ω-3) fatty acids (FA) are often included in the diet for their potential health benefits. However, because oxidative potential is increased with the degree of unsaturation in vitro, polyunsaturated FA such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3) may be at increased risk of lipid peroxidation. We aimed to determine the effects of dietary n-3 FA supplementation on antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in yearling horses.

Clinical biochemistry of pregnant and nursing mares.

Background: Pregnancy and lactation result in increased metabolic demands. Although homeostatic mechanisms function to keep substances in blood at relatively constant levels, some changes in the concentrations of routine clinical chemistry analytes are likely to occur.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine what physiological changes occur in serum clinical biochemistry analytes in pregnant and nursing mares, and to determine whether the changes were substantial enough to warrant separate reference intervals for pregnant or lactating horses.