Fatty acids are crucial in order to obtain optimal peak bone mass. The composition of fatty
acids in 8-month-old, healthy silver foxes and their interrelationships with the
morphological, densitometric, and mechanical properties of the mandible and bone
metabolism markers was studied. We used gas chromatography and the ELISA and EIA
methods to evaluate the biochemical profile of the serum. Quantitative computed
tomography, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and the three-point bending test were used
for mandible evaluation. In males, elaidic acid content was lower by 3.21%, while oleic acid
content was higher by 4.87% when compared to females (p<0.05). With the exception of
stearic acid found in saturated fatty acids, the concentrations of caprylic, capric, palmitic, and
heptadecanoic acids and the total sum of saturated fatty acids have shown only negative
correlations with bone formation markers, and the morphological and densitometric
properties of the mandible. Monounsaturated fatty acids (heptadecenoic and eicosenoic
acids) were both positively and negatively correlated with bone properties, while erucic,
elaidic and oleic acids showed only positive correlations with bone traits and bone formation
markers (p<0.05). Among the polyunsaturated fatty acids, linolenic and arachidonic acids
were negatively correlated with densitometric parameters, while linoleic acid showed the
highest number of positive correlations with densitometric and mechanical properties
(p<0.05). Eighteen-carbon-chain fatty acids were mainly positively correlated with the
morphological, densitometric and mechanical properties of the mandible. The most positive
implications for bone metabolism and bone properties, in regard to fatty acids, may be
ascribed to oleic and linoleic acids. The elaborated experimental model may serve for further
studies on bone metabolism regulation in monogastric mammals using dietary modifications
of fatty acid content.