The effect of docosahexaenoic acid-rich algae oil supplementation in milk replacer on blood concentration of docosahexaenoic acid metabolites and cytokine production in white blood cells in calves.

Summary: Scientists wanted to see if feeding baby cows a special algae oil—rich in healthy omega-3 fats called DHA—would help their immune systems. They gave 10 calves normal milk and 10 calves milk mixed with the algae oil for four weeks. Surprisingly, the oil didn't change the calves' immune cells or lower inflammation. Even worse, the calves that drank the algae oil didn't grow as big or gain as much weight as the calves that drank normal milk. So, this special oil might not be a good idea for growing baby cows.