EN
The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary n-6:n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratios on the oxidative stress of the liver in goslings. A total of 160 healthy Yangzhou geese was randomly divided into 4 groups, and each group was fed on diets with different n-6:n-3 PUFA ratios: A (12:1), B (9:1), C (6:1), and D (3:1), respectively. The liver was separated and antioxidant functions were evaluated on days 42, 56, and 70. The results showed that the activities of total superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase decreased when the geese aged, and were highest on d 42 in each group (P<0.05). The activities of these enzymes increased as the n-6:n-3 PUFA ratios decreased and were highest in the 3:1 group at all tested ages (P<0.05). It was also observed that the levels of H2 O2, malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO) in liver tissue tended to increase with age, and were relatively higher on d 70. Furthermore, the levels of H2 O2, MDA, and NO decreased as n-6:n-3 PUFA ratios decreased and were lowest at 3:1 and 6:1 at all studied ages (P<0.05). Overall, diets containing comparatively low n-6:n-3 PUFA ratios, such as 3:1 or 6:1, could increase antioxidant function and decrease hepatocyte damage in liver tissue.