The effect of an omega-3 and vitamin E-enhanced diet on nutritional status of alpaca

The effect of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n3 PUFA) and vitamin E supplementation on blood fatty acids and vitamin E in alpaca were studied, and fatty acid profiles of managed alpaca were compared to Peruvian alpaca consuming native forage. In Experiment 1, 16 adult female alpaca, blocked by phenotype (n=8 Huacaya, 8 Suri), were offered either a control diet or supplemented diet through breeding, gestation and lactation. Cria remained with their dams and had access to the assigned diets until weaning at 6 months. In Experiment 2, 12 female alpaca (Huacaya) at maintenance were transitioned from their normal dietary ration to the supplemented diet for 5 months. In both experiments, blood nutrient profiles were examined. In experiment 3, the fatty acid profiles of blood samples from Peruvian alpaca (n=4) consuming native forage were analysed. Minor differences between phenotypes existed, but in general, supplemented diet consumption was associated with higher serum vitamin E concentrations compared to control or pre-supplemented diet periods (p<0.05 for each). Plasma fatty acids were changed by feeding supplemented diet, with increases in n3 PUFA concentrations (p<0.05). Peruvian alpaca had higher concentrations of n3 PUFA (particularly 18:3n3) and saturated fatty acids than US alpaca in these trials. These data demonstrate that plasma and serum fatty acids and vitamin E can be modulated by diet in alpaca and that further dietary modulation may be warranted based on values from Peruvian alpaca.