The influence of dietary mackerel oil on the condition of organs and on blood lipid composition in the young growing pig

The effect of feeding high amounts of fish oil rich in polyunsaturated and long-chain monoenoic acids was studied in order to determine if any morbid changes occurred in piglets as a result of this addition. Piglets fed olive oil served as controls. After 4 weeks, blood hemoglobin, plasma glucose, and serum triglycerides were significantly lower in the experimental (mackerel oil) group as compared with the control group. There was no difference in serum cholesterol and serum lipid composition. Very low density lipoproteins were lower in the mackerel oil group. The fatty acid composition of blood serum, heart muscle, and liver showed considerable differences. Some increase in the amount of triglycerides in the heart muscle was observed in the mackerel oil group. No clinical symptoms due to ingestion of long-chain monoenoic acids were observed