Why “Alpha-linolenic” Should be the Cattle Buzzword for 2025
When it comes to livestock nutrition, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) plays a critical yet often underappreciated role. As a member of the omega-3 fatty acid family, ALA is essential for maintaining animal health, growth, and reproduction. Like linoleic acid, its omega-6 counterpart, ALA cannot be synthesized by cattle, sheep, or horses in sufficient quantities and must be supplied through their diet. These fatty acids are key building blocks of cell membranes and act as precursors for the biologically active compounds (eicosanoids) that influence inflammation, immune function, and reproductive health. Including alpha-linolenic acid in the diet is not just about meeting basic nutritional needs; it’s about optimizing overall animal performance and well-being.

Reproduction:
Research indicates that approximately 40% of all pregnancies fail because of embryonic death that occurs between days 8 and 17 after estrus. This occurs because the corpus luteum is not maintained. Elevated prostaglandin F2-alpha causes regression of corpus luteum, effectively terminating the pregnancy. Decreasing prostaglandin F2-alpha levels will extend the luteal phase, increasing embryo survival and thus maintaining the pregnancy. Feeding alpha-linolenic acid has been found to decrease prostaglandin F2-alpha, increasing pregnancy rate (figure 1).

Low levels of prostaglandins during the late luteal phase of estrus increases pregnancy rate. Work by Nadaffy (2006) shows that feeding additional linolenic acid reduced the level of prostaglandins being produced by cows (figure 2).

When compared to other dietary fatty acids, animals fed linolenic acid had the lowest level of prostaglandins (figure 3).

Other studies have shown that feeding alpha-linolenic acid increases the levels of progesterone and estrogen resulting in more and higher quality follicles being produced, more eggs being fertilized, more embryos surviving full term resulting in more liveborn calves (figure 4 & 5).


ALA supplementation helps ensure higher pregnancy rates and healthier offspring. Given its crucial role in maintaining animal health and optimizing reproductive success, ALA should be recognized as an essential component of livestock nutrition programs. FlaxLic, with its inclusion of ALA will lead to enhanced livestock productivity and with that, increased profitability.
