Effects of maternal dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on the spleen fatty acid composition and BSA-induced wing web swellings were investigated in broilers. One hundred twenty broiler breeder hens 26 wk of age were randomly assigned to diets containing mainly wheat, corn, soy meal, barley, oat and 5% (wt/wt) added sunflower oil, fish oil, or a mix of sunflower and fish oils (1:1). After 2 wk on the experimental diets, birds were inseminated, eggs were collected and incubated. Progeny

more »

... icks were then fed identical diets for 6 wk. The maternal dietary oils affected (P < 0.05) n-6 and n-3 PUFA in the spleens of hatching chicks. After 2 wk, n-6 PUFA did not differ among the groups; n-3 PUFA, docosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic (DHA) (Key words: maternal dietary n-3 fatty acid, spleen fatty acid composition, bovine serum albumin-induced wing web swelling, broiler) 2002 Poultry Science 81:1722-1727 Abbreviation Key: AA = arachidonic acid; DHA = docosahexaenoic acid; DPA = docosapentaenoic acid; EPA = eicosapentaenoic acid; FO = fish oil; PUFA = polyunsaturated fatty acid; SO = sunflower oil.