Effects of Omega-۳ Fatty Acids and Vitamin E onmRNA Levels of Desaturase and Elongase in Ovarian and Adipose Tissue of Laying Hens

Background: Positive effects observed following the consumptionof omega-۳ fatty acids (FA) have been reported. However,little information exis ts about mechanisms and the genes relatedto FA metabolism in ovary when FA supplemented in diet.Our aim was to inves tigate the effects of omega-۳ FA and vitaminE on the expression of genes involved in FA metabolism inlying hen as a model in ovarian s tudies.Materials and Methods: Sixty-eight ۲۹-week-old BovansWhite hens were divided into four groups: basal diet+sunfloweroil (C); C+alpha-tocopherol (E); basal diet+fish oil (n-۳), andn-۳+alpha tocopherol (n-۳+E). After feeding animals for sixweeks, ovarian and adipose tissue (AT) samples were collected.Gas chromatography was utilized to determine the FA profiles,and desaturase index (monounsaturated FA:saturated FA ratio)was calculated. qPCR was employed to evaluate the expressionlevels of desaturase and elongase.Results: The desaturase index in AT and ovary was not affectedby experimental diets. Fatty acid desaturase (FADS۱) expressionsignificantly (P=۰.۰۳) increased in the group receivingfish oil as omega-۳ source. Moreover, mRAN abundance ofFADS۳ was higher in the n-۳+E group than other experimentalgroups (P<۰.۰۱). Expression levels of elongate family such asELOVL۲ and ELOVL۴, ELOVL۵ in ovary were unaltered bytreatments. Dietary inclusion of FA and vitamin E did not affectmRNA levels of genes in AT.Conclusion: Omega-۳ FA and vitamin E alter the expressionlevel of genes involved in FA desaturation in the ovarian of layinghens, which warrants further s tudies.