Metabolic profile of rabbits supplemented with levels of flaxseeds (Linum usitatissimum) in the diet

Many oilseeds are a source of essentials fatty acids that are necessary for the coverage of the basic functions in the organism. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) inclusion in the diet of rabbits through the metabolic profile. Twenty males of the New Zealand breed of 8 months were used. Divided in four groups, they received flaxseed (L. usitatissimum) levels in the total diet: 0 %, 3 %, 6 % y 9 %, for a period of 88 days. The animals were subjected to a blood collection every 22 days to determine glucose, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), creatinine and urea. The data were evaluated by analysis of variance and regression with 5 % significance. The inclusion of flaxseed (L. usitatissimum) in the rabbit diet showed a positive quadratic effect for plasmatic concentration of glucose and total cholesterol. There was no significant difference between treatments for plasma concentration of triglycerides, low- density lipoproteins (LDL), very low - density lipoproteins (VLDL) and urea. There was a cubic effect for cholesterol- and creatinine. The inclusion of flaxseed (L. usitatissimum) in the diet had hypercholesterolemic effect in these animals.