The effects of using omega-3, omega-6 fatty acids and their mixture on performance, skeletal and health indicators in nursing Holstein calves.

Subject Areas : Journal of Animal Biology

Esmaeil Sangin ¹ , Ali nikkhah ² , Mohammad Chamani ^{3 *} , Ali Asghar Sadeghi ⁴ , Mahdi Aminafshar ⁵

1 - Department of Animal Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 - Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Tehran University, Karaj, Iran
3 - Department of Animal Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
4 - Department of Animal Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
5 - Department of Agriculture, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Received: 2025-01-14 Accepted : 2025-04-13 Published : 2025-07-02

Keywords: Health, Omega-6/Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Performance, Skeletal growth, Weanling calves,

Abstract :

 This study aimed to investigate the effects of using omega-3, omega-6 fatty acids and their mixtures on performance, skeletal indices and health in Holstein calves. 56 suckling calves (male and female) with an average body weight of 38±1.5 kg were selected and divided into four experimental groups in a completely randomized design: 1) control (oil-free); 2) soybean oil + milk; 3) fish oil + milk; and 4) combination of soybean oil and fish oil + milk. The experiment began at 3 days of age, weaning was at 75 days of age, and the end of the period was at 80 days of age. Feed intake (starter + milk) and body weight gain were recorded daily for each calf separately. Growth factors were measured using a standard meter on days 3, 75, and 85 of rearing, and stool scores and vitality scores were assessed and recorded based on appearance (1 to 5). The results showed that feed intake and milk solids intake did not change significantly among the experimental groups with the addition of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed in the average daily weight gain and body weight of calves compared to the control treatment (P<0.05), but daily weight gain was greater for soybean oil than for fish oil. Feed Intake efficiency for the experimental groups was not affected by the experimental treatments (P<0.05). Skeletal indices measured in this experiment were not significantly affected by the experimental treatments (P<0.05). Health indicators, including stool score and vitality score, were not affected by experimental treatments (P<0.05).

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