Chinese scientists rear cattle rich in fish oils

A team of Chinese scientists have reared genetically modified cattle that are said to be rich in omega-3 fatty acids, normally found in fish.

The researchers have reportedly reared 14 transgenic beef calves with higher than normal levels of healthy Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids by using somatic cell nuclear transfer.

The introduction of the fat1 gene in the cattle led to a fivefold increase in the levels of beneficial oils.

The team belonging to the Northwest A&F University, and the National Beef Cattle Improvement Centre, both located in Yangling (Shaanxi), succeeded in introducing a gene into fetal cells from Chinese breed Luxi Yellow cattle, which has a high beef yield.

Omega-3 fatty acids are good for human health, as they can help protect against cardiovascular diseases, obesity and neurodegenerative diseases.

However, the levels of these acids in the human diet have decreased over the years.

The study found that modern diets had adequate amount of omega-6 fatty acids but were deficient in omega-3 fatty acids.

Lead author Gong Cheng said: "There is much to learn about the best scientific techniques and the best husbandry required to make beef a rich animal source of omega-3 oils for human nutrition, but we have taken the first step."

Out of the 14 calves involved in the experiment, 11 died due to inflammation and from an infection common to cattle.

Corresponding author Linsen Zan from the College of Animal Science and Technology added: "We have provided the first evidence that it is possible to create a new breed of cattle with higher nutritional value in terms of their fatty acid composition."

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Image: Omega-3 fatty acids protect against cardiovascular diseases, obesity and neurodegenerative diseases. Photo: courtesy of SOMMAI/freedigitalphotos.net.