Genetic determination of fatty acid composition in Spanish Churra sheep milk

The objective of this study was to estimate the genetic variation of ovine milk fatty acid (FA) composition. We collected 4,100 milk samples in 14 herds from 976 Churra ewes sired mostly by 15 AI rams and analyzed them by gas-liquid chromatography for milk fatty acid composition. The studied traits were 12 individual FA contents (proportion in relation to the total amount of FA), 3 groups of fatty acids [saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated FA (MUFA), and polyunsaturated FA (PUFA)], and 2 FA ratios (n-6:n-3 and C18:2 cis-9,trans-11:C18:1 trans-11). In addition, percentages of fat and protein and daily milk yield were studied. For the analysis, repeatability animal models were implemented using Bayesian methods. In an initial step, univariate methods were conducted to test the hypothesis of the traits showing additive genetic determination. Deviance information criterion and Bayes factor were employed as model choice criteria. All the studied SFA showed additive genetic variance, but the estimated heritabilities were low. Among unsaturated FA (UFA), only C18:1 trans-11 and C18:2 cis-9,cis-12 showed additive genetic variation, their estimated heritabilities being [marginal posterior mean (marginal posterior SD)] 0.02(0.01) and 0.11(0.04), respectively. For the FA groups, only PUFA showed significant additive genetic variation. None of the studied ratios of FA showed additive genetic variation. In second multitrait analyses, genetic correlations between individual FA and production traits, and between groups of FA and ratios of FA and production traits, were investigated. Positive genetic correlations were estimated among medium-chain SFA, ranging from 0 to 0.85, but this parameter was close to zero between long-chain SFA (C16:0 and C18:0). Between long- and medium-chain SFA, estimated genetic correlations were negative, around −0.6. Among those UFA showing significant additive genetic variance, genetic correlations were close to zero. The estimated genetic correlations among all the investigated FA, milk yield, and fat and protein percentages were not different from zero. Our results suggest that low additive genetic variation is involved in the determination of the FA composition of milk fat in Churra sheep under current production conditions, which results in low values of heritabilities.     

Within-milking variation in milk composition and fatty acid profile of Holstein dairy cows

Changes in milk composition during a milking are well characterized, but variation in milk fatty acid (FA) profile is not well described and may affect the accuracy of in-line milk composition analyzers and could potentially be used for selective segregation of milk. Within-milking samples were collected from 8 multiparous high-producing Holstein cows (54.86 ± 6.8 kg of milk/d; mean ± standard deviation). A milk-sampling device was designed to allow collection of multiple samples during a milking without loss of vacuum or interruption of milk subsampling. Milk was collected during consecutive morning and afternoon milkings (12-h intervals) and was replicated 1 wk later. Each sample represented approximately 20% of the milking and was analyzed for fat, true protein, and lactose concentration and FA profile. Milk fat concentration markedly increased over the course of milk let down (4.4 and 4.2 percentage units at the a.m. and p.m. milking, respectively), whereas milk fat globule size did not change. Milk protein and lactose concentration decreased slightly during milking. Modest changes in milk FA profile were also observed, as milk de novo and 16-C FA concentrations increased approximately 10 and 8%, respectively, whereas the concentration of preformed FA decreased about 7% during the milking. In agreement, mean milk FA chain length and unsaturation modestly decreased during milking (0.59 and 0.014 U, respectively). The observed changes in milk fat concentration during a milking are consistent with previous reports and reflect the dynamic nature of milk fat secretion from the mammary gland. Changes in milk FA profile are not expected to practically affect the accuracy of spectroscopy methods for determination of milk fat concentration. Furthermore, the small variation in FA profile during a milking limits the use of within-milking milk segregation to tailor milk FA profile.     

Effect of temporary food or water deprivation on milk secretion and milk composition in the goat

When four goats were subjected to total water deprivation for 48 h once in early lactation and once in mid lactation and their voluntary food intake and effects on milk secretion were observed, milk volume decreased and lactose and fat concentration increased during both periods. However, when the goats were then fed the mean of their own food intake at the two previous water deprivation experiments, and were left free access to water, it was found that decreased food consumption had only a minor influence on milk secretion. When six goats were subjected to 48 h of food deprivation and six to 48 h of water deprivation, milk secretion decreased, but the reduction was delayed and of smaller magnitude during water deprivation. During food deprivation lactose concentration decreased and the milk protein and fat increased; the fatty acid composition changed from a greater proportion of short-chain to more long-chain fatty acids. During water deprivation milk fat and lactose concentrations increased, and only after 44 h did a change from short-chain to a larger proportion of long-chain fatty acids become evident. These experiments indicate that not only food intake, but also water intake are concerned with milk production.     

Effect of dietary fat blend enriched in oleic or linoleic acid and monensin supplementation on dairy cattle performance, milk fatty acid profiles, and milk fat depression

The effect of feeding increasing levels of oleic and linoleic acid both independently and together, with or without monensin, on milk fat depression was evaluated. Fifty-six Holstein cows were blocked by parity and then were divided by milk production into 2 groups (high or low) of 14 cows each within each parity block. A cow pair of 1 high and 1 low production cow within each parity block was fed in a single electronic feeding gate. Gates (n = 28) were considered the experimental unit and were assigned to monensin (17.5 g/t of dry matter) or control as the main plot (n = 14 each). The 7 cow pairs in each of the fixed effect groups were further assigned to a sequence of fat blend diets as split plot. Seven fat blend treatments in the split plot 7 × 7 Latin square were no added fat (no fat) and diets with increasing levels of oleic or linoleic acid: low C18:1 + low C18:2 (LOLL); low C18:1 + medium C18:2 (LOML); low C18:1 + high C18:2 (LOHL); medium C18:1 + low C18:2 (MOLL); medium C18:1+medium C18:2 (MOML); and high C18:1+low C18:2 (HOLL). Monensin feeding did not affect milk yield or concentration and yield of milk fat. Feeding monensin decreased the proportion of C <16, increased the proportion of total C18, increased the proportion and yield of trans-10 C18:1, and increased the proportion of trans-10,cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid in milk fatty acids (FA). As dietary C18:1 or C18:2 increased beyond the concentration present in LOLL, milk fat concentration, milk fat yield, and proportion and yield of milk C <16 all decreased, and the proportion and yield of milk trans-10 C18:1 increased. A quadratic effect on milk fat concentration and yield was noticed for C18:2 feeding, but not for C18:1 feeding. When dietary contents of total FA and FA other than C18:1 and C18:2 were similar, C18:2-rich diets decreased milk fat concentration and yield compared with C18:1-rich diets (LOML vs. MOLL, and LOHL vs. HOLL), indicating that C18:2 is more potent than C18:1 for depressing milk fat. Increasing dietary FA content from no fat to LOLL, which increased primarily C18:1 and C18:2 with small increases in C18:0 and C16:0, decreased the secretion of C <16 but increased total C18 secretion in milk. This suggests that biohydrogenation intermediates act to decrease mammary FA synthesis at low levels of added C18:1 and C18:2. No significant monensin × fat interactions were detected for the milk composition parameters analyzed; however, a monensin × fat interaction was found for milk fat trans-10 C18:1 proportion.     

Estimation of heritability and genetic correlations for the major fatty acids in bovine milk

The current cattle selection program for dairy cattle in the Walloon region of Belgium does not consider the relative content of the different fatty acids (FA) in milk. However, interest by the local dairy industry in differentiated milk products is increasing. Therefore, farmers may be interested in selecting their animals based on the fat composition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of genetic selection to improve the nutritional quality of bovine milk fat. The heritabilities and correlations among milk yield, fat, protein, and major FA contents in milk were estimated. Heritabilities for FA in milk and fat ranged from 5 to 38%. The genetic correlations estimated among FA reflected the common origin of several groups of FA. Given these results, an index including FA contents with the similar metabolic process of production in the mammary gland could be used, for example, to increase the monounsaturated and conjugated fatty acids in milk. Moreover, the genetic correlations between the percentage of fat and the content of C14:0, C12:0, C16:0, and C18:0 in fat were −0.06, 0.55, 0.60, and 0.84, respectively. This result demonstrates that an increase in fat content is not directly correlated with undesirable changes in FA profile in milk for human health. Based on the obtained genetic parameters, a future selection program to improve the FA composition of milk fat could be initiated.     

Elevated concentrate-to-forage ratio in dairy cow rations is associated with a shift in the diameter of milk fat globules and remodeling of their membranes

We examined the effects of concentrate-to-forage ratio in dairy cow rations on milk-fat composition, with a specific focus on the structure of milk fat globules (MFG). Twenty-four Holstein cows, 153 d in milk, were assigned to 2 dietary treatments in a crossover design study. Treatments were (1) high-concentrate (65%), low-forage (35%; HCLF) diet and (2) low-concentrate (35%), high-forage (65%; LCHF) diet. The mean diameter of the MFG; plasma concentrations of insulin, glucose, and nonesterified fatty acids (FA); and the composition and concentrations of milk FA and polar lipids were determined. Concentrations of insulin were 56% higher, and those of nonesterified FA 46% lower, in the HCLF than in the LCHF diet. The milk yield was 8.5 kg/d higher and yields of fat, protein, and lactose were 180, 350, and 403 g/d higher, respectively, in the HCLF versus LCHF diet. Milk FA composition differed between treatments, with 1.5 and 1.0 percentage units higher saturated and polyunsaturated FA concentrations, respectively, in the HCLF versus LCHF diet. Mean MFG diameter tended to be smaller (0.2 μm) in the HCLF diet than in the LCHF diet, associated with increased daily phospholipids yield (34%), lower phosphatidylserine and higher phosphatidylcholine concentrations. In conclusion, the decreased milk and fat yields in the LCHF diet were associated with remodeling of the MFG membrane and with the secretion of larger MFG. Membrane remodeling of the mammary epithelium membranes seems to play a role in regulating MFG size.     

Genetic parameters of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acid content and the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids in bovine milk

Fatty acid composition influences the nutritional quality of milk and the technological properties of butter. Using a prediction of fatty acid (FA) contents by mid-infrared (MIR) spectrometry, a large amount of data concerning the FA profile in bovine milk was collected. The large number of records permitted consideration of more complex models than those used in previous studies. The aim of the current study was to estimate the effects of season and stage of lactation as well as genetic parameters of saturated (SAT) and monounsaturated (MONO) fatty acid contents in bovine milk and milk fat, and the ratio of SAT to unsaturated fatty acids (UNSAT) that reflect the hardness of butter (SAT:UNSAT), using 7 multiple-trait, random-regression test-day models. The relationship between these FA traits with common production traits was also studied. The data set contained 100,841 test-day records of 11,626 Holstein primiparous cows. The seasonal effect was studied based on unadjusted means. These results confirmed that milk fat produced during spring and summer had greater UNSAT content compared with winter (63.13 vs. 68.94% of SAT in fat, on average). The effect of stage of lactation on FA profile was studied using the same methodology. Holstein cows in early first lactation produced a lower content of SAT in their milk fat. Variance components were estimated using a Bayesian method via Gibbs sampling. Heritability of SAT in milk (0.42) was greater than heritability of SAT in milk fat (0.24). Estimates of heritability for MONO were also different in milk and fat (0.14 vs. 0.27). Heritability of SAT:UNSAT was moderate (0.27). For all of these traits, the heritability estimates and the genetic and phenotypic correlations varied through the lactation.     

Comparative study of fatty acid and sterol profiles for the investigation of potential milk fat adulteration

Milk fat adulteration is a common issue in Central Asia. To assess the current situation in the commercial milk market, 17 milk samples were checked for fatty acid (FA) and sterol profiles to detect potential adulteration using multivariate analysis. Analysis of FA and sterols was performed using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection and gas chromatography with mass-spectrometric detection, respectively. Cluster analysis of FA profiles revealed 3 types of milk samples: (1) samples containing a higher proportion of short-chain FA, (2) samples containing a higher proportion of long-chain FA, and (3) samples with significant amounts of C18 FA. Analysis of sterols showed that samples included (1) milk fat containing 100% cholesterol, sometimes with traces of phytosterols, (2) milk fat with high proportions of β-sitosterol and campesterol, and (3) milk fat containing high proportions of brassicasterol. We found significant relationships between FA profiles and sterol profiles. The profiles were compared with vegetable oil patterns reported in the literature. More than 50% of the samples appeared to be counterfeited. We conclude that identification of adulteration in milk can be based solely on determination of sterol patterns.     

Phenotypic and genetic variability of production traits and milk fatty acid contents across days in milk for Walloon Holstein first-parity cows

The objective of this study was to assess the phenotypic and genetic variability of production traits and milk fatty acid (FA) contents throughout lactation. Genetic parameters for milk, fat, and protein yields, fat and protein contents, and 19 groups and individual FA contents in milk were estimated for first-parity Holstein cows in the Walloon Region of Belgium using single-trait, test-day animal models and random regressions. Data included 130,285 records from 26,166 cows in 531 herds. Heritabilities indicated that de novo synthesized FA were under stronger genetic control than FA originating from the diet and from body fat mobilization. Estimates for saturated short- and medium-chain individual FA ranged from 0.35 for C4:0 to 0.44 for C8:0, whereas those for monounsaturated long-chain individual FA were lower (around 0.18). Moreover, de novo synthesized FA were more heritable in mid to late lactation. Approximate daily genetic correlations among traits were calculated as correlations between daily breeding values for days in milk between 5 and 305. Averaged daily genetic correlations between milk yield and FA contents did not vary strongly among FA (around −0.35) but they varied strongly across days in milk, especially in early lactation. Results indicate that cows selected for high milk yield in early lactation would have lower de novo synthesized FA contents in milk but a slightly higher content of C18:1 cis-9, indicating that such cows might mobilize body fat reserves. Genetic correlations among FA emphasized the combination of FA according to their origin: contents in milk of de novo FA were highly correlated with each other (from 0.64 to 0.99). Results also showed that genetic correlations between C18:1 cis-9 and other FA varied strongly during the first 100 d in milk and reinforced the statement that the release of long-chain FA inhibits FA synthesis in the mammary gland while the cow is in negative energy balance. Finally, results showed that the FA profile in milk changed during the lactation phenotypically and genetically, emphasizing the relationship between the physiological status of cow and milk composition.     

Short communication: milk fat composition of 4 cattle breeds in the Netherlands

Milk fatty acid (FA) composition was compared among 4 cattle breeds in the Netherlands: Dutch Friesian (DF; 47 animals/3 farms), Meuse-Rhine-Yssel (MRY; 52/3), Groningen White Headed (GWH; 45/3), and Jersey (JER; 46/3). Each cow was sampled once between December 2008 and March 2009 during the indoor housing season, and samples were analyzed using gas chromatography. Significant breed differences were found for all traits including fat and protein contents, 13 major individual FA, 9 groups of FA, and 5 indices. The saturated fatty acid proportion, which is supposed to be unfavorable for human health, was smaller for GWH (68.9%) compared with DF (74.1%), MRY (72.3%), and JER (74.3%) breeds. The proportion of conjugated linoleic acid and the unsaturation index, which are associated positively with human health, were both highest for GWH. Differences in milk fat composition can be used in strategies to breed for milk with a FA profile more favorable for human health. Our results support the relevance of safeguarding the local Dutch breeds.     

Genetic parameters for conjugated linoleic acid, selected milk fatty acids, and milk fatty acid unsaturation of Italian Holstein-Friesian cows

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and other selected milk fatty acid (FA) content and for unsaturation ratios in the Italian Holstein Friesian population. Furthermore, the relationship of milk FA with milk fat and protein content was considered. One morning milk sample was collected from 990 Italian Holstein Friesian cows randomly sampled from 54 half-sib families, located in 34 commercial herds in the North-eastern part of Italy. Each sample was analyzed for milk percentages of fat and protein, and for single FA percentages (computed as FA weight as a proportion of total fat weight). Heritabilities were moderate for unsaturated FA, ranging from 0.14 for C16:1 to 0.19 for C14:1. Less than 10% of heritability was estimated for each saturated FA content. Heritability for index of desaturation, monounsaturated FA and CLA/trans-11 18:1 ratio were 0.15, 0.14, and 0.15, respectively. Standard errors of the heritability values ranged from 0.02 to 0.06. Genetic correlations were high and negative between C16:0 and C18:0, as well as between C14:0 and C18:0. Genetic correlations of index of desaturation were high and negative with C14:0 and C16:0 (−0.70 and −0.72, respectively), and close to zero (0.03) with C18:0. The genetic correlation of C16:0 with fat percentage was positive (0.74), implying that selection for fat percentage should result in a correlated increase of C16:0, whereas trans-11 C18:1 and cis-9, trans-11 C18:2 contents decreased with increasing fat percentage (−0.69 and −0.55, respectively). Genetic correlations of fat percentage with 14:1/14 and 16:1/16 ratios were positive, whereas genetic correlations of fat percentage with 18:1/18 and CLA/trans-11 18:1 ratios were negative. These results suggest that it is possible to change the milk FA composition by genetic selection, which offers opportunities to meet consumer demands regarding health aspects of milk and dairy products.     

Effects of increased supplementation of n-3 fatty acids to transition dairy cows on performance and fatty acid profile in plasma, adipose tissue, and milk fat

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of feeding an increased amount of extruded flaxseed with high proportions of n-3 fatty acids (FA) to transition dairy cows on performance, energy balance, and FA composition in plasma, adipose tissue, and milk fat. Multiparous Israeli-Holstein dry cows (n = 44) at 256 d of pregnancy were assigned to 2 treatments: (1) control cows were fed prepartum a dry-cow diet and postpartum a lactating-cow diet that consisted of 5.8% ether extracts; and (2) extruded flaxseed (EF) cows were supplemented prepartum with 1 kg of extruded flaxseed (7.9% dry matter)/cow per d, and postpartum were fed a diet containing 9.2% of the same supplement. The EF supplement was fed until 100 d in milk. On average, each pre- and postpartum EF cow consumed 160.9 and 376.2 g of C18:3n-3/d, respectively. Postpartum dry matter intake was 3.8% higher in the EF cows. Milk production was 6.4% higher and fat content was 0.4% U lower in the EF group than in the controls, with no differences in fat and protein yields. Energy balance in the EF cows was more positive than in the controls; however, no differences were observed in concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids and glucose in plasma. Compared with controls, EF cows had greater proportions of C18:3n-3 in plasma and adipose tissue. The proportion of n-3 FA in milk fat was 3.7-fold higher in the EF cows, and the n-6:n-3 ratio was decreased from 8.3 in controls to 2.3 in the EF cows. Within-group tests revealed that the C18:3n-3 content in milk fat in the EF cows was negatively correlated with milk fat percentage (r = –0.91) and yield (r = –0.89). However, no decrease in de novo synthesis of less than 16-carbon FA was found in the EF group, whereas C16:0 yields were markedly decreased. It appears that the enrichment of C18:3n-3 in milk fat was limited to approximately 2%, and the potential for increasing this n-3 FA in milk is higher for cows with lower milk fat contents. In conclusion, feeding increased amounts of C18:3n-3 during the transition period enhanced dry matter intake postpartum, increased milk production, decreased milk fat content, and improved energy balance. Increased amounts of EF considerably influenced the FA profile of plasma, adipose tissue, and milk fat. However, the extent of C18:3n-3 enrichment in milk fat was limited and was negatively correlated with milk fat content and yield.     

Influence of extruded soybeans with or without bicarbonate on milk performance and fatty acid composition of goat milk

The effects of extruded soybeans (ESB) included at 0, 10, or 20% of dry matter (DM) of the diet in combination with sodium bicarbonate (0 vs. 1% bicarbonate added to DM) on rumen fermentation characteristics, production parameters, and fatty acid (FA) profiles of milk fat were examined in 30 midlactation goats and 6 rumen-cannulated goats fed high-concentrate diets (30:70 forage-to-concentrate ratio) ad libitum in a 3 x 2 factorial design. Diets were fed as total mixed rations. The trial lasted 13 wk with the final 9 wk as the test period. Milk yield and composition were recorded each week throughout the trial. Individual samples of milk were taken in wk 4, 7, 10, 11, and 13 to determine FA profile of milk fat. Dry matter intake and intake of net energy for lactation were not affected by dietary treatments. Feeding ESB did not modify ruminal pH or volatile fatty acids concentration in the rumen fluid, but it increased the molar proportion of propionate. Feeding ESB increased fat-corrected milk, milk fat content, and fat yield compared with the control diets. There was no change in milk protein content when ESB were fed. Feeding ESB increased the proportions of oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids in milk fat at the expense of most of the saturated FA. It also increased the n-6 to n-3 FA ratio of milk. The largest changes in milk yield and milk composition were generally obtained with ESB included at 20% of DM. The addition of sodium bicarbonate tended to increase ruminal pH, VFA concentrations in the rumen fluid, and the molar proportions of acetate. The addition of sodium bicarbonate increased milk fat content and fat yield, with no change in milk FA composition. It is concluded that during midlactation, the inclusion of ESB to 20% of DM prevented low milk fat content for goats fed high-concentrate diets, with no decrease in milk protein content. The addition of sodium bicarbonate may enhance the effects of ESB on milk fat content and fat yield.     

Seasonal variation in the composition and melting behavior of milk fat

Dairy bulk tank milk was sampled during 1 yr from 2 conventional (C1 and C2) and 1 organic dairy (O1) for studying the seasonal variation as well as the variation between dairies in the composition and properties of milk fat. The composition of fatty acids (FA) as well as triglycerides (TAG) in milk fat was analyzed, and the melting properties of milk fat were analyzed by use of differential scanning calorimetry. The main differences in fat content and composition of FA in milk fat between dairies included a higher fat content, greater proportion of C18:0, and smaller proportion of C16:0 in milk from dairy C2, which could be associated with a higher frequency of Jersey herds supplying milk to this dairy. The organic milk was characterized by a higher proportion of C18:3n-3, C18:2 cis-9,trans-11, C6 to C14, a lower proportion of C18:1 cis-9, and a higher melting point of the low-melting fraction. The TAG composition showed a greater proportion of C24 to C38 TAG in milk fat from dairy O1 and a greater proportion of C52 to C54 TAG in milk fat from dairy C2, which was in accordance with the differences in FA composition. Melting point of the low-melting fraction was higher for milk fat from dairy O1 compared with dairies C1 and C2, whereas no differences between dairies were observed with respect to melting points of the medium- and high-melting fractions. The seasonal variation in FA composition was most pronounced for dairy O1 although similar patterns were observed for all dairies. During the summer, the content of C18:0 and C18:1 cis-9 in milk fat was greater, whereas the content of C14:0 and C16:0 was lower. In addition, the content of C18:2 cis-9,trans-11 and C18:1 trans-11 increased in late summer for dairy O1. The differential scanning calorimetry thermograms of individual milk fat samples could be divided into 3 groups by principal component analysis. For dairy O1, summer samples belonged to group 1, spring and autumn samples to group 2, and winter samples to group 3. For dairy C1 winter samples (group 2), were separated from other samples (group 1), and for dairy C2 all samples were in group 1. Individual melting points were related to FA composition, and the melting point of the low-melting fraction was positively correlated to the content of C14:0 and C16:0 in milk fat and negatively correlated to the content of C18:1 cis-9 and C18:0.     

Rumen biohydrogenation and milk fatty acid profile in dairy ewes divergent for feed efficiency

A sustainable increase in livestock production would require selection for improved feed efficiency, but the mechanisms underlying this trait and explaining its large individual variation in dairy ruminants remain unclear. This study was conducted in lactating ewes to test the hypothesis that rumen biohydrogenation (BH) would differ between high- and low-efficiency animals, and these differences would be reflected in rumen fatty acid (FA) profile and affect milk FA composition. A second aim was to identify differences in FA that may serve as biomarkers of feed efficiency. Data of daily feed intake and milk yield and composition, as well as body weight, were collected individually over a 3-wk period in 40 ewes. The difference between the mean actual and predicted feed intake (estimated through metabolizable energy requirements for maintenance, production, and body weight change) over the period was used as the feed efficiency index (FEI) to select 8 of the highest feed efficiency (H-FE) and 8 of the lowest feed efficiency (L-FE) animals. In addition, residual feed intake (RFI) was estimated as the residual term from the regression of feed intake on various energy sinks. Rumen and milk FA composition were characterized by using gas chromatography, and results were analyzed using a statistical model that included the fixed effect of the group (H-FE vs. L-FE). The FEI averaged ?0.29 ± 0.046 and 0.81 ± 0.084 in H-FE and L-FE, respectively, whereas RFI averaged ?0.16 ± 0.084 and 0.18 ± 0.082, respectively. The correlation coefficient between both metrics was 0.69. Feed intake was similar in both groups, but H-FE showed greater milk yield, with increases in lactose content and yield, and in milk protein and fat production. Results from rumen FA profiles included a lower proportion of 18:2n-6, cis-9 18:1, and of several of their BH metabolites, and a greater concentration of 18:0, which may indicate that the apparent BH would be more complete in more efficient sheep. Milk FA analysis suggested that the greater fat yield in the H-FE group was mostly explained by increased de novo FA synthesis, whereas their milk would have lower proportions of cis-9 18:1 and C20 to 22n-6 polyunsaturated FA than L-FE. Stepwise multiple linear regression suggested that milk C20 to 22n-6 PUFA might be convenient biomarkers to discriminate more efficient dairy sheep. Further research is needed to validate these findings (e.g., under different dietary conditions).     

Effects of goat milk or milk replacer diet on meat quality and fat composition of suckling goat kids

The effects of a diet with goat milk "GM" or milk replacer "MR" on the meat quality and fat composition of suckling Murciano-Granadina kids were studied. MR consisted of powdered skimmed milk, coconut oil and fat, and cereal products and by-products. Raw meat quality (moisture, protein, lipids, ash, collagen, cholesterol, haem pigments, CIELab colour, pH and water retention capacity), fatty acid "FA" composition and eating quality of cooked meat (odour, flavour and texture) were determined. Diet had only a slight effect on raw meat quality but had a pronounced effect on fatty acid composition and eating quality of cooked meat. MR diet increased the water/protein proportion in the muscle. The saturated/unsaturated FA ratio in GM and MR fat was 0.94 and 2.27, respectively. The major FA in GM and MR fat were C16:0 and C18:1, respectively. Short-chain C4-C12 hardly accumulated in the adipose tissue of suckling kid, increasing the relative percentages of C14-C20. This effect was more pronounced in MR fat, due to the fact that MR contained more short-chain fatty acids than GM. MR diet gave cooked meat a more intense characteristic goat meat odour and flavour, more tenderness and more juiciness than the natural suckling diet. This fact could be related to differences in meat and fat composition.     

Endogenous synthesis of milk oleic acid in dairy ewes: In vivo measurement using 13C-labeled stearic acid

The use of stable isotopes is a reliable and risk-free alternative to radioactive tracers for directly examining in vivo fatty acid (FA) metabolism. However, very limited information is available in ruminants, and none is available in sheep. Therefore, we conducted an experiment in dairy ewes to determine, for the first time in this species, the uptake, Δ⁹-desaturation, and secretion of ¹³C-labeled stearic acid (SA) into milk with the aim of measuring in vivo endogenous synthesis of milk oleic acid (OA) and stearoyl-CoA desaturase activity. Six lactating Assaf ewes fed a total mixed ration (forage:concentrate ratio = 30:70) received an intravenous injection of 2 g of ¹³C-labeled SA. At ?24, ?15, 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 h postinjection (p.i.), milk yield was recorded and milk samples were collected to examine fat concentration and FA composition, including compound-specific isotope analysis of SA and OA by gas chromatography–combustion isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Over the p.i. period, the SA proportion ranged from 7.6 to 8.3% of total FA, with a maximum ¹³C enrichment of 1.9%, whereas OA was more abundant (14.3–15.4% of total FA) and had lower ¹³C enrichments (up to 0.69%). On average, 15% of the isotopic tracer was transferred to milk within 72 h p.i., and 47 to 50% of the SA taken up by the mammary gland would have been desaturated to OA. The proportion of oleic acid being synthesized endogenously was estimated to represent between 48 and 57% of the amount secreted in milk. Further research under different dietary conditions is recommended.     

Crystallization behavior of milk fat obtained from linseed-fed cows

Milk with an increased content of unsaturated fatty acids was obtained by incorporating 60% of extruded linseed into the concentrate of cows. Two groups of Holstein cows (3 animals/group) were fed a concentrate (control or linseed enriched) together with the same roughage diet (ad libitum). After an adaptation period of 3 wk, evening and morning milk samples were collected every 7 d for 3 wk. Milk was decreamed and anhydrous milk fat (AMF) was isolated from the fat fraction by using the Bureau of Dairy Industries method. The objective of this study was to investigate if the crystallization mechanism of milk fat changed when the content of unsaturated fatty acids was increased. Therefore, the crystallization behavior of a milk fat enriched with unsaturated fatty acids was compared with that of a control milk fat. Nonisothermal crystallization was investigated with differential scanning calorimetry, and 1-step and 2-step isothermal crystallization behaviors were investigated using pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance, differential scanning calorimetry, and x-ray diffraction. A higher content of unsaturated fatty acids in AMF resulted in an increased proportion of low melting triglycerides. These triglycerides lowered the solid fat content profile, particularly at refrigerator temperatures. Furthermore, they induced some changes in the crystallization and melting behaviors of milk fat compared with a control AMF, although no fundamental changes in the crystallization mechanism could be revealed. Even though a lower melting point could be observed for milk fat with a higher content of unsaturated fatty acids, a similar degree of supercooling was needed to initiate crystallization, resulting in a shift in onset temperature of crystallization toward lower temperatures. In addition, slower crystallization kinetics were measured, such as a lower nucleation rate and longer induction times, although crystallization occurred in a similar polymorphic crystal lattice. During melting, a shift in offset temperature toward lower temperatures could be observed for the 3 melting fractions of AMF in addition to a higher proportion of low melting triglycerides. These results demonstrate that a higher content of unsaturated fatty acids has some effect on the crystallization behavior of milk fat. This knowledge could be used to produce dairy products of similar or superior quality compared with conventional products by intervening in the production process of dairy products.     

Single-step genome-wide association for selected milk fatty acids in Dual-Purpose Belgian Blue cows

The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters and identify genomic regions associated with selected individual and groups of milk fatty acids (FA) predicted by milk mid-infrared spectrometry in Dual-Purpose Belgian Blue cows. The used data were 69,349 test-day records of milk yield, fat percentage, and protein percentage along with selected individual and groups FA of milk (g/dL milk) collected from 2007 to 2020 on 7,392 first-parity (40,903 test-day records), and 5,185 second-parity (28,446 test-day records) cows distributed in 104 herds in the Walloon Region of Belgium. Data of 28,466 SNPs, located on 29 Bos taurus autosomes (BTA), of 1,699 animals (639 males and 1,060 females) were used. Random regression test-day models were used to estimate genetic parameters through the Bayesian Gibbs sampling method. The SNP solutions were estimated using a single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction approach. The proportion of genetic variance explained by each 25-SNP sliding window (with an average size of ~2 Mb) was calculated, and regions accounting for at least 1.0% of the total additive genetic variance were used to search for candidate genes. Average daily heritability estimated for the included milk FA traits ranged from 0.01 (C4:0) to 0.48 (C12:0) and 0.01 (C4:0) to 0.42 (C12:0) in the first and second parities, respectively. Genetic correlations found between milk yield and the studied individual milk FA, except for C18:0, C18:1 trans, C18:1 cis-9, were positive. The results showed that fat percentage and protein percentage were positively genetically correlated with all studied individual milk FA. Genome-wide association analyses identified 11 genomic regions distributed over 8 chromosomes [BTA1, BTA4, BTA10, BTA14 (4 regions), BTA19, BTA22, BTA24, and BTA26] associated with the studied FA traits, though those found on BTA14 partly overlapped. The genomic regions identified differed between parities and lactation stages. Although these differences in genomic regions detected may be due to the power of quantitative trait locus detection, it also suggests that candidate genes underlie the phenotypic expression of the studied traits may vary between parities and lactation stages. These findings increase our understanding about the genetic background of milk FA and can be used for the future implementation of genomic evaluation to improve milk FA profile in Dual-Purpose Belgian Blue cows.     

Susceptibility of dairy cows to subacute ruminal acidosis is reflected in milk fatty acid proportions,with C18:1 trans-10 as primary and C15:0 and C18:1 trans-11 as secondary indicators

The current study was carried out to assess 2 hypotheses: (1) cows differ in susceptibility to a subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) challenge, and (2) the milk fatty acid (FA) pattern can be used to differentiate susceptible from nonsusceptible cows. For this, 2 consecutive experiments were performed. During experiment 1, the milk FA pattern was determined on 125 cows fed an increasing amount of concentrate during the first 4 wk in milk (WIM). The coefficient of variation of several SARA indicative milk FA (i.e., C15:0, C18:1 trans-10, C18:2 cis-9,trans-11, and C18:1 trans-10 to C18:1 trans-11 ratio) increased, indicating that cows reacted differently upon the concentrate build-up. A first grouping was based on the milk fat C18:1 trans-10 proportion in the third WIM. Fifteen cows with the highest proportion of the latter FA (HT10) and their counterparts with low C18:1 trans-10 and equal parity distribution (LT10) were compared, which revealed that milk fat content and milk fat to protein ratio were lower for the HT10 group. From each of the HT10 and LT10 groups, 5 animals were selected for experiment 2. The subselection of the HT10 group, referred to as HT10s, showed a high proportion of C18:1 trans-10 at 3 WIM (>0.31 g/100 g of FA), a high level of C15:0 (on average ≥1.18 g/100 g of FA over the 4 WIM), and a sharp decrease of C18:1 trans-11 (Δ ≥ 0.25 g/100 g of FA during the 4 WIM). Their counterparts (LT10s) had a low milk fat C18:1 trans-10 proportion at 3 WIM (<0.23 g/100 g of FA), an average C15:0 proportion of 0.99 g/100 g of FA or lower, and a rather stable C18:1 trans-11 proportion. The HT10s group was hypothesized to be more susceptible to a SARA challenge, achieved by increasing amounts of rapidly fermentable carbohydrates in experiment 2. The HT10s cows had a lower nadir, mean, and maximum reticulo-ruminal pH; longer period of reticulo-ruminal pH below 6.0; and higher daily reticulo-ruminal pH variation compared with LT10s cows. Throughout experiment 2, HT10s and LT10s cows differed in levels of SARA indicative milk FA. Five animals, including one LT10s and 4 HT10s cows, experienced SARA, defined as reticulo-ruminal pH <6.0 for more than 360 min/d. These results indicate that it is possible to distinguish cows with different susceptibility to a SARA challenge within a herd by monitoring the milk FA composition when cows receive the same diet.