Revised; Originally published: 05/2008 / The article provides information about different types of dietary fats and promotes consumption of healthy fats in moderation as part of a balanced diet. The prevalence of fat-free products in grocery stores may give some health-conscious consumers the perception that all dietary fats are unhealthy. However, fats are absolutely vital for proper physiological functioning, and it is imperative that fats are included in a healthy diet. Fats are classified as saturated, monounsaturated, or polyunsaturated. Both types of unsaturated fats, when consumed in moderation, can help lower cholesterol and decrease the risk of heart disease, especially when they replace saturated and trans fats. We provide tips for selecting healthier fats, along with a guide for consuming appropriate portions of fat.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) required for fetal neurodevelopment. Increased DHA levels are associated with 17β-estradiol levels, as DHA is higher in women relative to men and in pregnant relative to non-pregnant women, suggesting a maternal adaptation to supply DHA to the fetus. DHA can be synthesized in the body from shorter n-3 PUFA through sequential elongation-desaturation, with Δ6-desaturase being the rate-limiting enzyme. The goal of the present thesis was to characterize the mechanism underlying higher DHA in situations of altered 17β-estradiol status by examining the expression of DHA synthesis enzymes in rodent models. Fatty acid composition of several lipid classes was measured by gas chromatography and enzyme expression was measured by RT-qPCR and immunoblotting. Hepatic Δ6-desaturase and phospholipid DHA was higher in female relative to male, and in pregnant relative to non-pregnant rats. Similarly, 17β-estradiol supplementation of ovariectomized rats resulted in increased hepatic Δ6-desaturase expression and DHA content, while ovariectomy itself had no effects on DHA levels despite controlling for hyperphagia. Mice deficient in the DNA binding activity of estrogen receptor α (ERα) had no differences in hepatic Δ6-desaturase or DHA levels. These results suggest that 17β-estradiol mediates the higher DHA levels in females and during pregnancy through increasing hepatic Δ6-desaturase expression, although the effects of removing 17β-estradiol signalling through ovariectomy or ERα disruption are less clear. This work helps to explain findings of altered DHA status in response to changes in 17β-estradiol concentrations, possibly resulting in more appropriately tailored dietary DHA recommendations. Also, increased understanding of the regulation of DHA synthesis may improve DHA yields in agri/aquaculture and enable increased content of DHA in the food supply.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of rumen-protected fish oil (RPFO) and rumen-protected marine algae (RPMA) supplements on ovarian function of lactating dairy cows on pasture or in confinement during the estrus and ovulation synchronization period. Thirty-six Holstein cows were assigned to one of the two feeding systems and fed with lipid supplements from 30d before to 100d after calving. The resumption of cyclicity and onset of estrus were not influenced by LS. Mean daily number of the large follicles was similar across the treatments. During the Ovsynch period, RPFO treated cows had larger follicles (?10mm; P<0.05). Ovulation was delayed in RPFO and RPMA group but the number of ovulation was not altered. The number and diameter of CL were greater in the RPMA group. Progesterone concentrations were greater in the RPMA group on pasture (P<0.05). These findings indicate that RPMA supplementation improves the ovarian function.

Mice (C57BL/6J: B6) exposed to maternal dietary restriction (DR) exhibited fetal growth- restriction and as adults develop symptoms of the metabolic syndrome. We aimed to determine the impact of DR on fetal hepatic gluconeogenic pathway and insulin sensitivity in late gestation. Second, we aimed to determine whether a postweaning diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids would alter the development of glucose intolerance, insulin resistance and obesity in DR male offspring. The reduced rate of fetal glycogen synthesis by DR male offspring and altered hepatic gene expression of enzymes involved in insulin signalling and glucose metabolism suggest abnormal fetal development in response to DR that may contribute to the later development of the metabolic syndrome. The postweaning omega-3 diet improved obesity, glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in both DR and control males. These data suggest that nutrition in pregnancy and postnatal life play important roles in determining life-long metabolic health.

Mice (C57BL/6J: B6) exposed to maternal dietary restriction (DR) exhibited fetal growth- restriction and as adults develop symptoms of the metabolic syndrome. We aimed to determine the impact of DR on fetal hepatic gluconeogenic pathway and insulin sensitivity in late gestation. Second, we aimed to determine whether a postweaning diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids would alter the development of glucose intolerance, insulin resistance and obesity in DR male offspring. The reduced rate of fetal glycogen synthesis by DR male offspring and altered hepatic gene expression of enzymes involved in insulin signalling and glucose metabolism suggest abnormal fetal development in response to DR that may contribute to the later development of the metabolic syndrome. The postweaning omega-3 diet improved obesity, glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in both DR and control males. These data suggest that nutrition in pregnancy and postnatal life play important roles in determining life-long metabolic health.

Dietary omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFAs), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, 22:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3), have beneficial health effects and hence increasing the consumption of these fatty acids is recommended by health authorities. The most common dietary source of EPA, DPA and DHA is seafood, but few Australians habitually consume fish and on average eat less than one meal of fish per week. Thus if Australians are to meet the dietary guidelines for n-3 fatty acid intake, there is a need to develop a source of n-3 rich foods that fit into a typical Australian diet. Feeding fish oils rich in n-3 LCPUFA to chickens has proven problematic due to alteration in organoleptic properties. The incorporation of vegetable oils rich in n-3 PUFA, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3) into the diet of chickens is potentially an alternative way to provide meat rich in n-3 LCPUFAs as ALA is the precursor of EPA and DHA. However, most vegetable oils also contain the n-6 (n-6) PUFA, linoleic acid (LA, 18:2n-6) which competes with ALA for the same enzymes in their metabolism to LCPUFA. This thesis addressed two crucial issues relating to the conversion of ALA into EPA, DPA and DHA of chicken tissues. The objectives of the first experiment were to examine the effects of increasing the ALA content of diets on the conversion of ALA into EPA, DPA and DHA by measuring their accumulation in chicken meat (breast and thigh) and to determine if there was an optimum level of ALA (at a fixed level of LA) in this process. The ratio of LA to ALA of the diets ranged from 10.5:1 to 0.6:1. The findings in this study demonstrated that there was no optimum level of dietary ALA and as indicated by the observation that EPA, DPA and DHA continued to increase in breast and thigh as the ratio of LA to ALA decreased in the diet. In general, DPA achieved higher levels than DHA. The experimental diets with the lowest LA to ALA ratio elevated the incorporation of EPA and DHA into breast and thigh meat to levels 5 and 4-fold, respectively relative to birds fed the highest LA to ALA ratio. In contrast, arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n-6) in all groups reduced with decreasing LA to ALA ratio in the diets. The results indicated that the dietary treatments did not significantly change the growth performance of chickens. The objective of the second experiment was to assess the regulatory effect of dietary LA on the conversion of ALA into EPA, DPA and DHA. While in the first experiment the diets varied in the level of ALA but had a constant LA level, in this experiment the level of ALA in the diets was held constant and the level of LA was varied. The LA to ALA ratio of experimental diets ranged from 1.4:1 to 2.1:1. The results of this study indicated that the highest LA to ALA ratio (2.1:1) resulted in the lowest n-3 LCPUFAs, EPA, DPA and DHA in meat samples. For example, the total n-3 LCPUFA levels in the breast meat of birds fed with the lowest LA to ALA ratio was 16% higher than the n-3 LCPUFA in the breast of birds fed the highest LA to ALA ratio. This study indicated that the strongest influence on EPA, DPA and DHA accumulation in chicken tissues was the level of ALA in the diet. The experimental diets did not appear to affect the growth performance of chickens. In conclusion, increasing the ALA content of chicken diets may result in a meat source high in n-3 LCPUFAs that may reduce pressure on diminishing marine stocks as well as offering health benefits to Australians. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1369065 / Thesis (M.Ag.Sc.) - University of Adelaide, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, 2009

Omega-3 fatty acids are increasingly recognised as playing an important role in human brain development and mental health. The polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) include omega-3 and omega-6 fats which are essential fatty acids (EFAs), consumed via the diet. Omega-3 fatty acids are particularly abundant in fish oils. The omega-3 fatty acids are being focused on for their role in depression, the main types being docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is abundant in neural tissue, and also eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) which is biologically very active. There is an emerging literature in relation to omega-3 fatty acid blood levels in depression and the effects of treatment with omega-3. Strong epidemiological evidence has also been published indicating an association between a population's fish intake and depression rates. A specific research focus on omega-3 as a treatment for depression in the perinatal period is also starting to emerge. The importance of this particular area is enhanced by the knowledge that omega-3 depletion occurs during the perinatal period due to fetal diversion for neurodevelopment. In view of the lay public promotion of omega-3 and its appeal to women as a 'natural therapy', there is a need to scientifically evaluate its effectiveness to treat depression in the perinatal period. It is also important to investigate omega-3 as an alternative to antidepressants given the ongoing uncertainties regarding their safety in pregnancy. In this thesis a literature review presents current research relating to this field. This is followed by a description of the methodology and results for the two trials conducted. The results of the double-blind randomised placebo controlled trial of omega-3 as a treatment for depression in the perinatal period were essentially negative. However this result is limited by the small sample size in the study and therefore it may be unwise to interpret the result as conclusive. The case-control study confirmed the hypothesis that omega-3 levels were more depleted in depressed women compared to non-depressed women. A discussion of the results and trial limitations then follows in the thesis. It is concluded that further larger studies are warranted in this area.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2007. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vii, 44 p. : ill. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 30-33).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 76-85).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology, and Rheumatology Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, 1994. / Errata slip inserted. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 178-199).