Flaxseeds and thymol feed as dietary supplementation for Caiman latirostris: effects on immune status, meat quality and intestinal morphology

Abstract

Adequate nutrition is crucial for development, growth, and optimal immune function. Consuming long-chain n − 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in breeding animals reduces inflammation and enhances growth and immune health. We selected 15 juvenile caimans and, for 35 days were fed with experimental diets: Control Diet (C), Control + Flaxseed (CF), and Control + Flaxseed + Thymol (CFT). Then, aliquots of blood were collected for total leukocyte count, leukocyte prof ile, heterophils/lymphocytes ratio, and natural antibodies determination. Also, we obtained meat and tissue samples from each individual. Caiman meat obtained with the addition of flaxseed (CF) achieved an increase in C18: 3 n-3 concerning all dietary treatments, and both the CFT treatment and CS showed increases in C22: 6 and total n-3 levels, as well as a decreased n-6/n-3 ratio regarding C. Total leucocytes and lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils populations were lower for animals fed with enrichment diets than C. Seemingly, the favorable serum fatty acid pattern, reflected by the substantially lower ratio of n–6 to n–3 fatty acids, would beneficially affect animal health. Higher values of natural antibody titers were found in animals fed with enriched diets related to controls, which could suggest an improvement in the immune system of these animals. Dietary supplementation with both CF and CFT revealed high levels of plasma antioxidant capacity. Our study shows improvements in meat quality and caiman health, through enhanced antioxidant capacity and immune function. The dietary supplements adapted well without disrupting digestion, making long-chain n-3 PUFA-enriched diets a viable option for optimal caiman health.