Changes in hematological parameters in dogs undergoing training after dietary supplementation with fish oil and vitamin E

RISSO A; RELLING AE; ÁLVAREZ FG; PELLEGRINO FJ; CORRADA Y

Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires

Jornada; VII Jornadas de Jóvenes Investigadores; 2017

Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires

Fish oils (FO) are a major source of eicosapentaenoico acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Regular aerobic training and FO intake may induce changes in hematological parameters, improving oxygen transport through the microcirculation. This effect is potentially beneficial to improve exercise performance in dogs. However, incorporation of the EPA and DHA in membranes increases the membranes susceptibility to lipid peroxidation, especially in combination with exercise. Effects of lipid peroxidation can be avoided by supplementing FO diets with vitamin E (VE). The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of dietary supplementation with FO alone or with VE on hematological parameters in dogs undergoing training. Using a replicate 3x3 Latin square design, six male dogs, 2 to 6 years old and 21 to 35 kg were randomly assigned into three groups for 8 weeks and fed a control diet (CG), CG supplemented with 54 mg FO/kg of body weight0.75 per day (FG) or FG plus 400 mg VE (FEG). Blood samples for assessing red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets (PLT), hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were collected on weeks 0, 4 and 8. Dogs were trained on a treadmill twice a week for 8 weeks. Each session was 30 minutes long, at 8 km/h speed and a 7.5% slope. The data were analyzed using SAS 9.4. In FEG, MCV (fL) at week 4 decreased compared with CG (FEG: 68.06, CG: 70.82; P