Fatty acid composition of different tissues of newborn and suckling piglets

The availability of data about the fatty acids composition in different tissues of fetus and newborn piglets seems essential for the evaluation of nutrient requirements of gestating/lactating sows. In newborn un-suckling piglets data analyzed show strong heterogeneity among different tissues, especially for fatty acids (FA) synthesized ex novo like long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Fatty acid profile in suckling animals are different between tissues, indicating that the growth of each organ or tissues in body of newborn piglets follows a different route and therefore requires distinct combination of fatty acids. In tissues there are a strong relationship between the concentration of LCPUFA (long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids) and their precursors that are the essential fatty acids C18:2 n-6 and C18:3 n-3. This indicate that, during the suckling time, piglet metabolism plays a key role in the utilization of milk substrates, also in terms of ex novo synthesis of fatty acids. Comparison of fatty acids profile of plasma from sows and their suckling piglets. are strongly differed. The concentration of FA in swine plasma was markedly influenced by lipid composition of the diet. In plasma of piglets there are some FA, like LCPUFA which are not detected in plasma of their mothers. Finally, Pearson correlation analysis of the fatty acids concentrations evidenced interesting relationship between them.