Long-Chain PUFAs Improve Plasma DHA, Visual Development

Long-Chain PUFAs Improve Plasma DHA, Visual Development

COLLEGE STATION, Texas--Researchers from Texas A&M University found long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) enriched plasma docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels and improved visual performance in an animal study reported in Journal of Nutrition (135:1960-66, 2005).

Dog puppies were fed suckling diets containing either LCPUFAs or alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, a short-chain omega-3 precursor to DHA) and evaluated for plasma DHA and retinal rod response/sensitivity. The ALA group exhibited less plasma DHA than the group fed LCPUFAS (as preformed DHA). Measuring retinal response to electroretinalgram (ERG), researchers also found both ALA and LCPUFA groups showed strong response to ERG, although the LCPUFA group exhibited greater rod sensitivity. Researchers concluded preformed dietary LCPUFA is more effective than ALA in enriching plasma DHA during perinatal development and results in improved visual performance in developing dogs.