Simple Summary The consumption of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has beneficial effects on human health. aimed to investigate the effect of supplementing a microalgae-derived product rich in DHA on growth and immune system development in newborn goat kids. In this experiment, newborn goat kids were fed milk replacer (MR) supplemented with three levels of a microalgae-derived product rich in DHA (DHA-Gold?, Martek Biosciences, MD, USA). Groups were designed as follows: MR-NS (milk replacer without DHA-Gold? supplementation; = 10), MR-DHA-9 (9 g of DHA-Gold?/L milk replacer; 10) and MR-DHA-18 (18 g of DHA-Gold?/L milk replacer; 10). The immune status CIP1 of the kids was evaluated by the plasma IgG and IgM concentrations, as well as by the complement system and chitotriosidase activities. Dietary supplementation with DHA did not affect either growth AG 555 or innate and humoral immunity ( 0.05). This study concludes that supplementation with DHA does not cause negative effects on growth and immune status in newborn goat kids. 0.05. Unless specified, results are presented as least squares means (LS-means) standard error of the mean (SEM). 3. Results In AG 555 this study, the average individual feed intake was 1.26 0.32, 1.30 0.35 and 1.29 0.41 L/day in animals from the MR-NS, MR-DHA-9 and MR-DHA-18 groups, respectively (data expressed as means SD). In addition, the average individual microalgae-DHA intake was 2.29 0.28 and 4.62 0.46 g/day in animals from the MR-DHA-9 and MR-DHA-18 groups, respectively (data expressed as means SD). 3.1. Supplementation of a Microalgae-Derived Product Rich in DHA Did Not Affect Growth or Feed Intake in Goat Kids. At birth, no differences in BW were detected between groups (3.25 0.25, 3.00 0.28 and 2.88 0.29 kg in MR-NS, MR-DHA-9 and MR-DHA-18 groups, respectively; 0.05; AG 555 data are expressed as LS-means SD). In addition, the supplementation of a microalgae-derived product rich in DHA (DHA-Gold?) did not affect the final BW at day 35 of life (7.27 0.28, 7.45 0.33 and 7.09 0.35 kg in MR-NS, MR-DHA-9 and MR-DHA-18, respectively; 0.05; data are expressed as LS-means SD). As showed in Table 3, the supplementation of a microalgae-derived product rich in DHA (DHA-Gold?) didn’t affect BW through the initial 35 days of life ( 0.05). As showed in Physique 1, BW increased during the entire experimental period ( 0.05). Open in a separate window Physique 1 Body weight (BW) in the three groups together (MR-NS, MR-DHA-9 and MR-DHA-18; 30) from day 0 to day 35 of life. Different lowercase letters (aCf) show significant ( 0.05) differences between time points. Results are offered as least squares means standard error of the mean. 10), MR-DHA-9 (10) and MR-DHA-18 (10) groups. 0.05). As showed in Physique 2A, plasma IgG concentrations increased rapidly after colostrum feeding ( 0.05) and decreased progressively until the end of the experimental period (day 35). Open in a separate window Physique 2 Plasma immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration (A) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) concentrations (B) in the three groups together (MR-NS, MR-DHA-9 and MR-DHA-18; 30) from day 0 to AG 555 day 35 of life. Different lowercase letters (a-d) show significant ( 0.05) differences between time points. Results are offered as least squares means standard error of the mean. 0.05). Similarly to IgG concentrations, IgM concentrations were clearly influenced by time ( 0.05; Physique 2B). The highest IgM concentrations were obtained at day.