Fatty Acid Profile of Blood Plasma at Mating and Early Gestation in Rabbit

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Fatty acids can be used as an energy substrate by oocytes and embryos. Ovulation rate and normal preimplantation embryos are limiting factors to increased litter size in rabbits. Knowledge of the fatty acid profile in blood plasma at mating and in early gestation and its relationship with the ovulation rate and early embryonic development can help improve doe productivity. In our study, palmitic, linoleic, oleic and stearic acids show the highest concentrations. Moreover, monounsaturated fatty acids are correlated with ovulation rate and normal embryos. The more SFA, the greater the embryonic development. This study could be useful for designing enriched feeds in animal production and for embryological studies, as the rabbit is an experimental model. ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to analyse the fatty acid (FA) profile of blood plasma at mating and 72 hpm by gas chromatography. Moreover, the correlation between FA and ovulation rate, normal embryos and compacted morulae was estimated. Palmitic, linoleic, oleic and stearic were the highest FA concentrations at mating and 72 hpm. Most long chain saturated and PUFA were higher at 72 hpm than at mating, while MUFA were higher at mating. SFA, MUFA and PUFA were high and positively correlated. Correlation was 0.643 between MUFA at mating and ovulation rate, and 0.781 between MUFA and normal embryos, respectively. Compacted morulae were slightly correlated with SFA at mating (0.465). In conclusion, the FA profile of plasma varies depending on the reproductive cycle of the rabbit female, adapting to energetic requirements at mating and early gestation. Moreover, positive correlations are found between fatty acids and ovulation rate and embryo development and quality.