The intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids by cats is reflected in their adipose tissue.

Abstract

To find out whether the composition of the subcutaneous adipose tissue of cats reflects the intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids, we performed a feeding trial. Six groups of kittens were fed on diets with variable combinations of corn, linseed, and fish oil. After 5 months, biopsies of subcutaneous adipose tissue were analysed for their contents of linoleic, alpha-linolenic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic acid. The observed strong correlations between dietary and fat tissue polyunsaturated fatty acids indicate that the fatty acid composition of adipose tissue may be used as an index of the fatty acid composition of the diet. Thus, in epidemiological studies on the possible relationship between dietary fat type and feline disease the fatty acid composition of adipose tissue might be a useful measure.

• Authors: M H van Niel, A C Beynen
• Journal: The veterinary quarterly (Vet Q) Vol. 19 Issue 4 Pg. 150-3 (Nov 1997) ISSN: 0165-2176 [Print] England
• PMID: 9413110 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Dietary Fats
• Fatty Acids, Unsaturated
• alpha-Linolenic Acid
• Docosahexaenoic Acids
• Linoleic Acid
• Eicosapentaenoic Acid

Topics

• Adipose Tissue (chemistry, metabolism, physiology)
• Animals
• Body Composition (physiology)
• Cats (metabolism, physiology)
• Diet (veterinary)
• Dietary Fats (administration & dosage, metabolism)
• Docosahexaenoic Acids (analysis, metabolism, pharmacology)
• Eating (physiology)
• Eicosapentaenoic Acid (administration & dosage, analysis, metabolism)
• Fatty Acids, Unsaturated (administration & dosage, analysis, metabolism)
• Female
• Linear Models
• Linoleic Acid (administration & dosage, analysis, metabolism)
• alpha-Linolenic Acid (administration & dosage, analysis, metabolism)