Dietary manipulation of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in the retina and brain of guinea pigs

Abstract

High levels of n-6 docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-6) have been reported in the retina of guinea pigs fed commercially-prepared grain-based rations (commercial diet). In rats and monkeys, high levels of 22:5n-6 are an indicator of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) deficiency. We have examined the fatty acid composition of the retina and brain in guinea pigs fed a commercial diet or one of three semi-purified diets containing three different levels of n-3 PUFA. The diets comprised a diet deficient in n-3 PUFA (semi-purified diet containing safflower oil), two diets containing α-linolenic acid (standard commercial laboratory diet and semi-purified diet containing canola oil), and a diet conta..