Fatty Acid Content and Composition of the Yakutian Horses and Their Main Food Source: Living in Extreme Winter Conditions

• Main Authors: Klim A. Petrov, Lyubov V. Dudareva, Vasiliy V. Nokhsorov, Kirill N. Stoyanov, Olesia N. Makhutova
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-02-01
• Series: Biomolecules
• Subjects: essential polyunsaturated fatty acids; linoleic acid; alpha-linolenic acid; food quality; muscle tissue; subcutaneous adipose tissue; liver; green cryo-fodder
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/10/2/315

For the first time, seasonal changes in the content of total lipids (TLs) and phospholipids (PLs) were studied in fodder plants growing in Central Yakutia&#8212;a perennial cereal, smooth brome (<i>Bromopsis inermis</i> L.), and an annual cereal, common oat (<i>Avena sativa</i> L.). Both species have concentrated TLs and PLs in autumn under cold hardening. In addition, a significant increase in the content of fatty acids (FAs) of <i>B. inermis</i> was observed during the autumn decrease in temperature. The Yakutian horses, which fed on cereals enriched with nutrients preserved by natural cold (green cryo-fodder), accumulated significant amounts of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3, the total content of which in cereals was 75% of the total FA content. We found differences in the distribution of these two FAs in different tissues of the horses. Thus, liver was rich in 18:2n-6, while muscle and adipose tissues accumulated mainly 18:3n-3. Such a distribution may indicate different roles of these FAs in the metabolism of the horses. According to FA content, meat of the Yakutian horses is a valuable dietary product.