Abstract
A study was done to investigate and better understand dietary modifications of canine lipid metabolism during gestation, lactation, and the neonatal period. Sexually intact, clinically normal female dogs were bred to the same sire and divided into four groups based on the diet composition they consumed while on the study. The diets were identical, except for varying amounts of alpha-linolenic acid relative to n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. The fat sources were tallow (Lo/Lo), linseed oil (Hi/Lo), low (Lo/Mod) or high (Lo/Hi) menhaden fish oil. Plasma was collected on days 0, 3, 7, 14, 28, 42, and 56 of gestation, days 10 and 28 of lactation, and days 4, 10, 16, 28, 70, and 84 of the neonatal period. Electrophoresis was run on these samples, as well as total cholesterol, free cholesterol, and triglyceride analyses. Both time and diet effects in plasma lipids were observed during gestation and lactation of the bitches and as during the perinatal period of the puppies. During gestation, total plasma cholesterol was elevated in the later stages compared to earlier stages in all four groups of dogs . Also, both beta lipoprotein and alpha₂ lipoprotein fractions were increased during this time in all groups. The two lactation samples were compared to the nonpregnant state. Similar to gestation, during lactation, there was a decrease in total plasma cholesterol concentrations and alpha lipoprotein fractions compared to the nonpregnant state. Also during lactation, free cholesterol concentrations were lower than those of the nonpregnant state. In the puppy, total plasma cholesterol and beta-lipoprotein-cholesterol were elevated on days 4 and 10. These cholesterol concentrations decreased as the puppy aged. Both plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were lower in dogs fed the diets containing the fish oil diets. This data leads us to believe that lipid metabolism alterations must occur in order to maintain proper homeostasis for both the mother and her offspring.
Wright, Angela Shanna (2004). Dietary modifications of lipid metabolism in canine plasma during gestation, lactation, and the neonatal period. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -2004 -THESIS -W7.