Hypocholesterolemic effect of full-fat flax seeds in the diets of growing pigs

Thirty six Polish Landrace fatteners of both sexes divided into 3 groups were fed from 70 to 110 kg body weight with a complete mixture containing 0.4 or 8% full-fat flax seeds. The mixtures used were characterized by a higher content of unsaturated fatty acids (14.56% and 16.53% linolenic acid, respectively). The fatteners receiving 8% supplement of flax seeds in their fodder have a significantly lower level of a total cholesterol (P < 0.01) and its LDL fraction (P < 0.05) in blood serum at slaughter. Blood serum of these animals contained lower, but a statistically insignificant level of triglycerides, total fat and a higher insulin content. No significant effect of flax-seed supplement in feed on the total cholesterol in cardiac muscle and m. longissimus dorsi was observed. It can be supposed that the hypocholesterolemic effect observed in the blood serum of fatteners results from the increased content of unsaturated fatty acids - mainly linolenic acid - in the feed.