Differential partitioning of rumen-protected n–3 and n–6 fatty acids into muscles with different metabolism

Bioavailability of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in ruminants is enhanced by their protection from ruminal biohydrogenation. Both n–3 and n–6 PUFA fulfil important physiological functions. We investigated potentially different incorporation patterns of these functional PUFA into three beef muscles with different activity characteristics. We supplemented 33 Angus heifers with rumen-protected oils characterized either by mainly C18:2 n–6 (linoleic acid (LA) in sunflower oil) or by C20:5 (eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)) and C22:6 (docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)), both prevalent n–3 PUFA in fish oil. Contents and proportions of n–3 and n–6 PUFA of total fatty acids were elevated in the muscles of the respective diet group but they were partitioned differently into the muscles. For EPA and DHA, but not for LA, the diet effect was more distinct in the extensor carpi radialis compared to longissimus thoracis and biceps femoris. Partitioning of PUFA in metabolism could be related to muscle function. This has to be confirmed in other muscles, adipose tissues and organs. •Novel sources of rumen-protected fish oil and sunflower oil were tested in heifers.•Fatty acids were compared in three muscles with different physiological function.•The proportionate incorporation of n–3 and n–6 fatty acids differed.•Muscle-diet interactions were found for very long-chain n–3 fatty acids.•There was no muscle-diet interaction for linoleic acid (n–6 fatty acid).