Influence of C16:0 and long-chain saturated fatty acids on normal variation of bovine milk fat triacylglycerol structure

Fatty acids (FA) are nonrandomly distributed within milk fat triacylglycerols (TAG). Moreover, the structure of milk fat TAG differs with feeding regimens. So far, nothing is known about the variation of milk fat TAG structure among individual cows. A deep understanding of the normal variation of TAG structures and the relationships between milk fat FA profile and its TAG structure could help to better control functional and compositional differences between milk fats from various sources and to increase the knowledge on milk fat synthesis. The focus of the present study was to determine the regiospecific TAG structure of individual samples of winter milk fat from Dutch Holstein-Friesian cows with a wide variation of FA profiles and with 2 diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) genotypes: DGAT1 K232A genotype AA and DGAT1 K232A genotype KK. From an initial set of 1,918 individual milk fat samples, 24 were selected. The selected samples had a wide range of FA composition and had either DGAT1 K232A genotype AA or KK. The structure analysis was done with a regiospecific approach. This analysis is based on the acyl degradation of TAG by a Grignard reagent and further isolation of sn-2 monoacylglycerols by thin-layer chromatography. An intra- and interpositional approach was used to study the structural variation. With the intrapositional approach, the amount of an FA at the secondary (sn-2) and primary (sn-1,3) positions was related to its total amount in the TAG. With the interpositional approach, the proportion of C8:0, C10:0, C14:1 cis-9, C16:1 cis-9, and C18:1 cis-9 at sn-2 was positively correlated with the amount of C16:0 in the triacylglycerol; in contrast, saturated C14:0, C16:0, and long-chain saturated FA (C14:0–C18:0) were negatively correlated. These observations suggest that the amount of long-chain saturated FA in TAG influences the positioning of other FA in the TAG. With an interpositional approach, the DGAT1 polymorphism had a significant effect on the proportional positioning of C16:0 at sn-2. These results provide a new direction to controlling functional and compositional differences between milk fats.     

Feeding hydrogenated palm fatty acids and rumen-protected protein to lactating Holstein-Friesian dairy cows modifies milk fat triacylglycerol composition and structure,and solid fat content

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of fat and protein supplementation to dairy cattle rations on milk fat triacylglycerol (TAG) composition, fatty acid (FA) positional distribution in the TAG structure, and milk solid fat content (SFC). Fifty-six lactating Holstein-Friesian cows were blocked into 14 groups of 4 cows and randomly assigned 1 of 4 dietary treatments fed for 28 d: (1) low protein, low fat, (2) high protein, low fat, (3) low protein, high fat, and (4) high protein, high fat. The high protein and high fat diets were obtained by isoenergetically supplementing the basal ration (low protein, low fat) with rumen-protected soybean meal and rumen-protected rapeseed meal, and hydrogenated palm FA (mainly C16:0 and C18:0), respectively. Fat supplementation modified milk TAG composition more extensively compared with protein supplementation. Fat supplementation resulted in decreased concentrations of the low molecular weight TAG carbon number (CN) 26 to CN34 and medium molecular weight TAG CN40, CN44, and CN46, and increased concentrations of CN38 and the high molecular weight TAG CN50 and CN52. Increased contents of C16:0, C18:0, and C18:1cis-9 in TAG in response to fat supplementation were related to increases in the relative concentrations of C16:0 and C18:0 at the sn-2 position and C18:0 and C18:1cis-9 at the sn-1(3) positions of the TAG structure. Increased concentrations of high molecular weight TAG species CN50 and CN52 in response to fat supplementation was associated with increased milk SFC at 20, 25, and 30°C. Our study shows that important alterations in milk TAG composition and structure occur when feeding hydrogenated palm FA to lactating dairy cattle, and that these alterations result in an increased SFC of milk fat. These changes in milk SFC and TAG composition and structure may improve absorption of both fat and minerals in milk-based products for infants and may affect processing of milk fat.     

Influence of a supplement containing conjugated linoleic acid on dairy performance,milk fatty acid composition,and adipose tissue reactivity to lipolytic challenge in mid-lactation goats

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the supplementation of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA; 4.5 g of cis-9,trans-11 C18:2 and 4.5 g of trans-10,cis-12 C18:2) on milk performance, milk fatty acid (FA) composition, and adipose tissue reactivity in dairy goats fed a high-concentrate diet based on corn silage. Twenty-four multiparous dairy goats in early to mid lactation were used in a 10-wk trial, with a 3-wk adaptation to the experimental total mixed ration that contained corn silage (35%, dry matter basis), beet pulp (20%), barley (15%), and a commercial concentrate (30%). Goats were randomly allocated to 2 experimental groups and they were fed 45 g/d of a lipid supplement (either CLA or Ca salts of palm oil added on top of the total mixed ration). Individual milk production and composition were recorded weekly, and milk FA composition was analyzed in wk 2, 5, and 6. In the last week of the trial, an isoproterenol challenge was performed for 12 goats before morning feeding. The CLA supplementation had no effect on dry matter intake (DMI), body weight (BW), milk yield, milk protein content, and lactose yield and content, but it significantly decreased milk fat yield and content by 18 and 15%, respectively. The decrease in milk fat yield was related to a lower secretion of FA synthesized de novo, of the medium-chain FA, and to a lesser extent of the long-chain FA that are taken up from the peripheral circulation. The CLA supplementation decreased the proportion of the sum of C16:0 and C16:1 and the sum of total cis C18:1, and it increased the proportions of the sum of long-chain (C >16) and the sum of iso FA without modification of the total trans C18:1 and the sum of FA synthesized de novo (C <16). During the first 25 min relative to isoproterenol injection, the maximal concentrations, the increases above basal concentration, the changes in area under the curve, and the total area under the curve for glucose and nonesterified FA were not affected by CLA treatment. In conclusion, CLA supplementation associated with a high-concentrate diet based on corn silage resulted in decreased milk fat yield, increased net energy balance, and it did not affect the sensitivity of the adipose tissue to lipolytic challenge in lactating goats.     

The DGAT1 K232A polymorphism and feeding modify milk fat triacylglycerol composition

In the present study, we aimed to investigate the changes in triacylglycerol (TAG) composition as affected by alterations in the cows' diet due to seasonal variations and genetic factors. For this study, 50 milk fat samples in winter and 50 in summer were used from 25 cows with the DGAT1 KK genotype and 25 cows with the DGAT1 AA genotype. The samples were analyzed for milk fat content (%), fat composition, and TAG composition. We found that the content of TAG species CN54 was higher and that of CN34 and CN36 lower in summer than in winter. This seasonal variation in TAG profile was related to seasonal changes in the fatty acids C14:0, C16:0, C18:0, C18:1 cis-9, total unsaturated fatty acids, and total long-chain fatty acids, most likely resulting from dietary differences between seasons. Furthermore, we quantified the effect of DGAT1 K232A polymorphism on TAG profile and detected a significant effect on TAG species CN36, with higher values for the DGAT1 KK genotype. When adjusting for differences in fat content, we found no significant effects of the DGAT1 K232A polymorphism on TAG profile. We detected a significant interaction between DGAT1 K232A polymorphism and season for TAG species CN42 and CN52; in summer, the KK genotype was associated with higher levels for CN42 than the AA genotype, whereas in winter, the difference between the genotypes was small. For CN52, in summer the AA genotype was associated with higher levels than the KK genotype. In winter, the difference between the genotypes was also small. We show that, regardless of preference for DGAT1 genotype (AA or KK) and depending on the availability of FA according to season, UFA (C18:1 cis-9), short-chain FA (C6:0 and C10:0), and medium-chain FA might be esterified on the glycerol backbone of the TAG, keeping the structure characteristics of each TAG species. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the interaction effect of DGAT1 K232A polymorphism and season on the TAG composition in milk fat.     

Effect of forage conservation method on plasma lipids,mammary lipogenesis,and milk fatty acid composition in lactating cows fed diets containing a 60:40 forage-to-concentrate ratio

The effects of forage conservation method on plasma lipids, mammary lipogenesis, and milk fat were examined in 2 complementary experiments. Treatments comprised fresh grass, hay, or untreated (UTS) or formic acid treated silage (FAS) prepared from the same grass sward. Preparation of conserved forages coincided with the collection of samples from cows fed fresh grass. In the first experiment, 5 multiparous Finnish Ayrshire cows (229 d in milk) were used to compare a diet based on fresh grass followed by hay during 2 consecutive 14-d periods, separated by a 5-d transition during which extensively wilted grass was fed. In the second experiment, 5 multiparous Finnish Ayrshire cows (53 d in milk) were assigned to 1 of 2 blocks and allocated treatments according to a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design, with 14-d periods to compare hay, UTS, and FAS. Cows received 7 or 9 kg/d of the same concentrate in experiments 1 and 2, respectively. Arterial concentrations of triacylglycerol (TAG) and phospholipid were higher in cows fed fresh grass, UTS, and FAS compared with hay. Nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations and the relative abundance of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3 in TAG of arterial blood were also higher in cows fed fresh grass than conserved forages. On all diets, TAG was the principle source of fatty acids (FA) for milk fat synthesis, whereas mammary extraction of NEFA was negligible, except during zero-grazing, which was associated with a lower, albeit positive calculated energy balance. Mammary FA uptake was higher and the synthesis of 16:0 lower in cows fed fresh grass than hay. Conservation of grass by drying or ensiling had no influence on mammary extraction of TAG and NEFA, despite an increase in milk fat secretion for silages compared with hay and for FAS than UTS. Relative to hay, milk fat from fresh grass contained lower 12:0, 14:0, and 16:0 and higher S3,R7,R11,15-tetramethyl-16:0, cis-9 18:1, trans-11 18:1, cis-9,trans-11 18:2, 18:2n-6, and 18:3n-3 concentrations. Even though conserved forages altered mammary lipogenesis, differences in milk FA composition were relatively minor, other than a higher enrichment of S3,R7,R11,15-tetramethyl-16:0 in milk from silages compared with hay. In conclusion, differences in milk fat composition on fresh grass relative to conserved forages were associated with a lower energy balance, increased uptake of preformed FA, and decreased synthesis of 16:0 de novo in the mammary glands, in the absence of alterations in stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase activity.     

Effects of strain of Holstein-Friesian and concentrate supplementation on the fatty acid composition of milk fat of dairy cows grazing pasture in early lactation

The effect of a grain-based concentrate supplement on fatty acid (FA) intake and concentration of milk FA in early lactation was investigated in grazing dairy cows that differed in their country of origin and in their estimated breeding value for milk yield. It was hypothesized that Holstein-Friesian cows of North American (NA) origin would produce milk lower in milk fat than those of New Zealand (NZ) origin, and that the difference would be associated with lower de novo synthesis of FA. In comparison, increasing the intake of concentrates should have the same effect on the FA composition of the milk from both strains. Fifty-four cows were randomly assigned in a factorial arrangement to treatments including 3 amounts of concentrate daily [0, 3, and 6 kg of dry matter (DM)/cow] and the 2 strains. The barley/steam-flaked corn concentrate contained 3.5% DM FA, with C18:2, C16:0, and C18:1 contributing 48, 18, and 16% of the total FA. The pasture consumed by the cows contained 4.6% DM FA with C18:3, C16:0, and C18:1 contributing 51, 10, and 10% of the FA, respectively. Pasture DM intake decreased linearly with supplementation, but total DM intake was not different between concentrate or strain treatments, averaging 16.2 kg of DM/cow, with cows consuming 720 g of total FA/d. Cows of the NA strain had lesser concentrations of milk fat compared with NZ cows (3.58 vs. 3.95%). Milk fat from the NA cows had lesser concentrations of C6:0, C8:0, C10:0, C12:0, C14:0, and C16:0, and greater concentrations of cis-9 C18:1, C18:2, and cis-9, trans-11 C18:2, than NZ cows. These changes indicated that in milk from NA cows had a lesser concentration of de novo synthesized FA and a greater concentration of FA of dietary origin. Milk fat concentration was not affected by concentrate supplementation. Increasing concentrate intake resulted in linear increases in the concentrations of C10:0, C12:0, C14:0, and C18:2 FA in milk fat, and a linear decrease in the concentration of C4:0 FA. The combination of NA cows fed pasture alone resulted in a FA composition of milk that was potentially most beneficial from a human health perspective; however, this would need to be balanced against other aspects of the productivity of these animals.     

Altering the ratio of dietary C16:0 and cis-9 C18:1 interacts with production level in dairy cows: Effects on production responses and energy partitioning

The objective of our study was to evaluate the effects of altering the dietary ratio of palmitic (C16:0) and oleic (cis-9 C18:1) acids on nutrient digestibility, energy partitioning, and production responses of lactating dairy cows. Cows were blocked by milk yield and assigned to 3 groups (12 cows per group) in a main plot: low (45.2 ± 1.7 kg/d), medium (53.0 ± 1.6 kg/d), and high (60.0 ± 1.9 kg/d). Within each production group, a truncated Latin square arrangement of fatty acid (FA) treatments was used in 2 consecutive 35-d periods. The FA treatments supplemented at 1.5% of diet dry matter were (1) 80:10 (80% C16:0 + 10% cis-9 C18:1), (2) 73:17 (73% C16:0 + 17% cis-9 C18:1), (3) 66:24 (66% C16:0 + 24% cis-9 C18:1), and (4) 60:30 (60% C16:0 + 30% cis-9 C18:1). Treatment × production group interactions were observed for yields of milk, fat-corrected milk, energy-corrected milk, milk fat, milk protein, and milk lactose and energy partitioned to milk. Increasing cis-9 C18:1 in FA treatments reduced fat-corrected milk, energy-corrected milk, and milk energy output in low-producing cows but increased these in high-producing cows. Increasing cis-9 C18:1 in FA treatments did not affect milk yield, milk protein yield, and milk lactose yield in low- and medium-producing cows but increased these in high-producing cows. Regardless of production level, there was no effect of treatments on dry matter intake; however, increasing cis-9 C18:1 in FA treatments increased body weight change and body condition score change. Increasing cis-9 C18:1 in FA treatments increased total FA digestibility due to a linear increase in 16- and 18-carbon FA digestibilities. Interactions between FA treatments and production level were observed for the yield of milk fat and milk FA sources. In low-producing cows, increasing cis-9 C18:1 in FA treatments decreased milk fat yield due to a decrease in de novo and mixed milk FA without changes in preformed milk FA. In contrast, in high-producing cows, increasing cis-9 C18:1 in FA treatments increased milk fat yield due to an increase in de novo and preformed milk FA. Our results indicate that high-producing dairy cows (averaging 60 kg/d) responded better to a fat supplement containing more cis-9 C18:1, whereas low-producing cows (averaging 45 kg/d) responded better to a supplement containing more C16:0.     

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.     

Effect of unsaturated fatty acids and triglycerides from soybeans on milk fat synthesis and biohydrogenation intermediates in dairy cattle

Increased rumen unsaturated fatty acid (FA) load is a risk factor for milk fat depression. This study evaluated if increasing the amount of unsaturated FA in the diet as triglycerides or free FA affected feed intake, yield of milk and milk components, and feed efficiency. Eighteen Holstein cows (132 ± 75 d in milk) were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design. Treatments were a control (CON) diet, or 1 of 2 unsaturated FA (UFA) treatments supplemented with either soybean oil (FA present as triglycerides; TAG treatment) or soybean FA distillate (FA present as free FA; FFA treatment). The soybean oil contained a higher concentration of cis-9 C18:1 (26.0 vs. 11.8 g/100 g of FA) and lower concentrations of C16:0 (9.6 vs. 15.0 g/100 g of FA) and cis-9,cis-12 C18:2 (50.5 vs. 59.1 g/100 g of FA) than the soybean FA distillate. The soybean oil and soybean FA distillate were included in the diet at 2% dry matter (DM) to replace soyhulls in the CON diet. Treatment periods were 21 d, with the final 4 d used for sample and data collection. The corn silage- and alfalfa silage-based diets contained 23% forage neutral detergent fiber and 17% crude protein. Total dietary FA were 2.6, 4.2, and 4.3% of diet DM for CON, FFA, and TAG treatments, respectively. Total FA intake was increased 57% for UFA treatments and was similar between FFA and TAG. The intakes of individual FA were similar, with the exception of a 24 g/d lower intake of C16:0 and a 64 g/d greater intake of cis-9 C18:1 for the TAG compared with the FFA treatment. Compared with CON, the UFA treatments decreased DM intake (1.0 kg/d) but increased milk yield (2.2 kg/d) and milk lactose concentration and yield. The UFA treatments reduced milk fat concentration, averaging 3.30, 3.18, and 3.11% for CON, FFA, and TAG treatments, respectively. Yield of milk fat, milk protein, and 3.5% fat-corrected milk remained unchanged when comparing CON with the UFA treatments. No differences existed in the yield of milk or milk components between the FFA and TAG treatments. The UFA treatments increased feed efficiency (energy-corrected milk/DM intake), averaging 1.42, 1.53, and 1.48 for CON, FFA, and TAG treatments, respectively. Although milk fat yield was not affected, the UFA treatments decreased the yield of de novo (<16-carbon) synthesized FA (40 g/d) and increased the yield of preformed (>16-carbon) FA (134 g/d). Yield of FA from both sources (16-carbon FA) was reduced by the UFA treatments but to a different extent for FFA versus TAG (72 vs. 100 g/d). An increase was detected in the concentration of trans-10 C18:1 and a trend for an increase in trans-10,cis-12 C18:2 and trans-9,cis-11 C18:2 for the UFA treatments compared with CON. Under the dietary conditions tested, UFA treatments supplemented at 2% diet DM as either soybean FA distillate or soybean oil increased milk yield but did not effectively cause a reduction in milk fat yield, with preformed FA replacing de novo synthesized FA in milk fat. Further research is required to determine if the response to changes in dietary free and esterified FA concentrations is different in diets that differ in their risk for milk fat depression.     

Functional properties of cream from dairy cows with experimentally altered milk fat composition

Modification of milk fat composition might be a desirable method to alter manufacturing characteristics or produce dairy products low in saturated fat that more closely meet consumer dietary preferences. The aim of this research was to evaluate functional properties of cream obtained from milks with fat composition modified by altering the profile of long-chain fatty acids (FA) absorbed from the intestine. A control and 5 mixtures of long-chain free FA were infused into the abomasum of lactating dairy cows in a 6 × 6 Latin square design with 21-d periods. Treatments were as follows: (1) control (no FA infused), (2) mostly saturated FA (C16:C18 = 0.74), (3) low linoleic palm FA (C16:C18 = 0.73), (4) palm FA (C16:C18 = 0.73), (5) soy FA (C16:C18 = 0.10), and (6) high palmitic soy FA (C16:C18 = 0.73). All treatments included meat solubles and Tween 80 as emulsifiers. Viscosity, overrun, whipping time, foam firmness, and foam stability were evaluated in creams (33% fat). Cream from cows infused with soy FA (treatment 5) had the longest whipping time and lowest overrun, foam stability, viscosity, melting point, firmness, and solid fat content at 5 and 20°C because the fat had the highest unsaturated FA content. Increasing palmitic acid content of soy FA (treatment 6) improved functional variables in cream relative to soy FA alone. Differences among treatments 1 to 4 were less pronounced because of the effect of C18:1 trans in treatments 3 and 4 on milk fat yield and composition. Milk fat from cows infused with palm FA (treatment 4) exhibited comparable or better functionality than control cream. Increased polyunsaturated FA in milk fat resulted in increased amounts of triglyceride (TG) fractions with 28, 30, 38, and 40 carbon numbers, increased oleic acid resulted in increased 50-carbon TG, and higher palmitic and myristic acids resulted in greater 44, 46, and 48 carbon number TG. These TG groups consistently correlated with functional properties of creams from different treatments. Our results indicated that optimal functionality of cream is dependent more on its content of palmitic acid than on unsaturated FA. However, an optimal composition of milk fat for cream functional characteristics might be obtained through nutritional manipulation of diets for dairy cows to deliver an optimal profile of FA.     

Effect of short-term versus long-term grassland management and seasonal variation in organic and conventional dairy farming on the composition of bulk tank milk

Bulk tank milk from 28 dairy farms was sampled every second month for 2 yr to assess the effects of grassland management, production system and season on milk fatty acid (FA) composition, concentrations of fat-soluble vitamins, Se, and milk sensory quality. Grassland management varied in terms of time since establishment. Short-term grassland management (SG) was defined as establishment or reseeding every fourth year or more often, and long-term grassland management (LG) was defined as less frequent establishment or reseeding. Fourteen organic (ORG) dairy farms with either short-term or long-term grassland management were paired with 14 conventional (CON) farms with respect to grassland management. Within ORG farms, SG farms differed from LG farms in herbage botanical composition, but not in concentrate FA concentrations, dry matter intake, or milk yield. Within CON farms, herbage composition, concentrate FA concentrations, dry matter intake, and milk yield showed no or insignificant variations. The ORG farms differed from CON farms in herbage botanical composition, concentrate FA concentrations, concentrate intake, and milk yield. Compared with ORG-LG farms, ORG-SG farms produced milk fat with higher proportions of C10:0 and C12:0 associated with higher herbage proportions of legumes (Fabaceae) and lower proportions of other dicotyledon families. Compared with milk from CON farms, milk fat from ORG farms had higher proportions of most saturated FA and all n-3 FA, but lower proportions of C18:0 and C18:1 cis-9 associated with higher forage proportion and differences in concentrations of FA in concentrates. Compared with the outdoor-feeding periods, the indoor feeding periods yielded milk fat with higher proportions of most short-chain and medium-chain FA and lower proportions of most C18-FA associated with grazing and higher forage proportions. Milk concentrations of α-tocopherol and β-carotene were lower during the grazing periods. Inclusion of fishmeal in organic concentrates may explain higher Se concentrations in organically produced milk. Milk sensory quality was not affected in this study. In conclusion, grassland management had minor effects on milk composition, and differences between ORG farms and CON farms may be explained by differences in concentrate intake and concentrate FA concentrations. Milk produced on ORG farms versus CON farms and milk produced during the outdoor versus indoor feeding periods had potential health benefits due to FA composition. In contrast, the higher milk-fat proportions of saturated FA in milk from ORG farms may be perceived as negative for human health.     

Seasonal variation in fatty acid and triacylglycerol composition of bovine milk fat

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of seasonal variation on the changes of the fatty acid (FA) and triacylglycerol (TAG) composition of bovine milk fat (MF) in a nonseasonal milking system. Weekly milk samples were collected from 14 dairy factories and pooled per week as representative samples of the average Dutch bovine milk. The sample collection started in May 2017 and finished in April 2018, resulting in a total of 52 samples, corresponding to each week of the year. The samples were analyzed for MF content (%) and FA and TAG composition using gas chromatography with flame-ionization detection. The increased intake of C18:3 cis-9,12,15 through grass feeding in spring and summer was associated with major changes in MF FA composition, including reduced proportions of de novo synthesized FA and presence of several rumen biohydrogenation products and conjugated linoleic acid isomers in MF. These changes in seasonal FA composition had an effect on TAG seasonal variation. The TAG seasonal variation showed that all TAG groups were significantly different between months. The low molecular weight and the medium molecular weight TAG groups increased in winter and decreased in summer, whereas the high molecular weight TAG groups increased in summer and decreased in winter. Based on pooled monthly samples, MALDI-TOF-mass spectrometry allowed the analysis of even- and odd-chain TAG species in MF based on their total carbon number and number of double bonds. These analyses indicated saturated TAG species to be greatest in winter, whereas monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and odd-chain TAG species were greatest in summer. Our study showed that TAG seasonal variation in a nonseasonal milking system is influenced by the variation in FA composition throughout the seasons.     

Addition of olive oil to dairy ewe diets: effect on milk fatty acid profile and animal performance

The effects of ruminant diet supplementation with linoleic or different polyunsaturated fatty acids (FA) have been well documented. Less abundant information, however, exists on the effects of incorporating monounsaturated FA, such as oleic acid, on lipid metabolism or animal performance. The purpose of this work was to assess the effects of feeding dairy ewes a diet supplemented with high levels of olive oil (OO) on milk yield and composition, paying particular attention to the FA profile. Twenty-four Assaf ewes were fed ad libitum with 2 diets, control or supplemented with 6% OO (2 lots of 6 animals per diet) for 4 wk. Milk yield and composition and dry matter intake were recorded weekly. Milk FA composition was determined by gas chromatography and conjugated linoleic acid profile by silver ion HPLC. Milk yield increased in ewes receiving OO, with no differences in dry matter intake. The OO diet decreased the milk protein percentage but increased the milk fat, protein, and total solids yield. Medium-chain saturated FA (C10:0 to C16:0) content was reduced with OO supplementation, whereas C18:0 and cis-9 C18:1 content increased. Leaving aside trans-11, most trans C18:1 isomers, mainly trans-10, increased in supplemented ewes. The main conjugated linoleic acid isomer (cis-9, trans-11 C18:2) decreased with OO supplementation, whereas trans-7, cis-9 and trans-9, cis-11 C18:2 exhibited a remarkable increase. These results support the argument that the supplementation of ewe diets with high levels of OO does not have any detrimental effects on animal performance but substantially modifies the FA profile.     

Altering the ratio of dietary palmitic and oleic acids affects production responses during the immediate postpartum and carryover periods in dairy cows

The objectives of our study were to determine the effects of altering the dietary ratio of palmitic (C16:0) and oleic (cis-9 C18:1) acids on production and metabolic responses of early-lactation dairy cows during the immediate postpartum period and to evaluate carryover effects of the treatment diets early in lactation. Fifty-six multiparous cows were used in a randomized complete block design and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments (14 cows per treatment) fed from 1 to 24 d in milk (DIM). The treatments were: (1) control (CON) diet not supplemented with fatty acids (FA); (2) diet supplemented with a FA blend containing 80% C16:0 and 10% cis-9 C18:1 (80:10); (3) diet supplemented with a FA blend containing 70% C16:0 and 20% cis-9 C18:1 (70:20); and (4) diet supplemented with a FA blend containing 60% C16:0 and 30% cis-9 C18:1 (60:30). The FA supplement blends were added at 1.5% of diet DM by replacing soyhulls in the CON diet. All cows were offered a common diet from d 25 to 63 postpartum (carryover period) to evaluate carryover effects. Three preplanned contrasts were used to compare treatment differences: CON versus FA-supplemented diets (80:10 + 70:20 + 60:30)/3; the linear effect of cis-9 C18:1 inclusion in diets; and the quadratic effect of cis-9 C18:1 inclusion in diets. During the treatment period, FA-supplemented diets increased milk yield, 3.5% fat-corrected milk (FCM), and energy-corrected milk (ECM) compared with CON. Compared with CON, FA-supplemented diets increased milk fat content, milk fat yield, yield of mixed FA, and tended to increase protein yield and lactose yield. Also, compared with CON, FA-supplemented diets tended to increase body condition score (BCS) change. A treatment by time interaction was observed for body weight (BW), due to 80:10 inducing a greater BW loss over time compared with other treatments. Increasing cis-9 C18:1 in FA treatments tended to linearly increase dry matter intake (DMI) but did not affect milk yield, 3.5% FCM, ECM, and the yields of milk fat, protein and lactose. Increasing cis-9 C18:1 in FA treatments linearly decreased milk fat content and milk lactose content. Also, increasing cis-9 C18:1 in FA treatments linearly decreased BW and BCS losses. During the carryover period, compared with CON, FA-supplemented diets tended to increase milk yield. Also, FA-supplemented diets increased 3.5% FCM, ECM, and milk fat yield, and tended to increase milk protein yield compared with CON. A treatment by time interaction was observed for BW due to 80:10 increasing BW over time compared with CON. Our results indicate that feeding FA supplements containing C16:0 and cis-9 C18:1 during the immediate postpartum period increased milk yield and ECM compared with a nonfat supplemented control diet. Increasing cis-9 C18:1 in the FA supplement increased DMI and reduced BW and BCS losses. Additionally, the fat-supplemented diets fed during the immediate postpartum period had a positive carryover effect during early lactation, when cows were fed a common diet.     

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.     

Variation of Delta 9-desaturase activity in dairy cattle

The endogenous production of unsaturated fatty acids (FA), particularly some monounsaturated FA (%MONO) and nearly all conjugated linoleic acids, is regulated by the Δ⁹-desaturase activity. The aims of this study were to assess the variation of this enzymatic activity within lactation, across dairy breeds, and to estimate its genetic parameters. The ratios of C14:1 cis-9 to C14:0, C16:1 cis-9 to C16:0, and C18:1 cis to C18:0 were calculated from FA contents predicted by mid-infrared spectrometry. Variance components and standard errors were estimated using average information REML. The multitrait mixed model included as fixed effects herd × test date × class of lactation number, class of days in milk × class of lactation number, class of age × class of lactation number, and regressions on breed composition. Four random effects were also included: animal genetic effect, 2 permanent environments (within and across lactations), and residual effect. Under the assumption that the calculated ratios are an approximate measurement of Δ⁹-desaturase activity, this study showed different sources of variation for this enzymatic activity. A slight difference was observed within lactation. The ratios of C14:1 cis-9 to C14:0 and C16:1 cis-9 to C16:0 increased as a function of days in milk. Differences across 7 dairy breeds were observed. The values of Δ⁹-desaturase indices observed for Jersey and Brown-Swiss cows were lower compared with Holstein. The opposite was observed for dual-purpose Belgian Blue cows. Values of heritability for the ratios of C14:1 cis-9 to C14:0, C16:1 cis-9 to C16:0, and C18:1 cis to C18:0 were 20, 20, and 3%, respectively. Negative genetic correlations observed between fat or protein contents and the 3 indices suggested that an increased activity of Δ⁹-desaturase could inhibit the synthesis of fat and protein in bovine milk. Negative correlations were also observed between fat or protein contents and the contents of 3 studied unsaturated FA in milk fat (C14:1 cis-9, C16:1 cis-9, and C18:1 cis). The positive genetic correlations observed between %MONO and the ratios of C14:1 cis-9 to C14:0 (0.72), C16:1 cis-9 to C16:0 (0.62), and C18:1 cis to C18:0 (0.97) showed that %MONO is linked to the Δ⁹-desaturase activity.     

Effect of dietary flax seed and oil on milk yield,gross composition,and fatty acid profile in dairy cows: A meta-analysis and meta-regression

Several experiments were conducted over the past few years to evaluate the feeding value of flax seed and oil in dairy cow diets. The current meta-analysis and meta-regression was undertaken to assess the overall effect of different forms of flax, as a source of trienoic (cis-9,cis-12,cis-15 18:3) fatty acids (FA), on lactation performance and on transfer efficiency of its constituent n-3 FA from diet to milk fat. Comparisons were first conducted with nonsupplemented controls or with diets containing either saturated (mainly 16:0 or 18:0 or both), monoenoic (mainly cis-9 18:1), or dienoic (mainly cis-9,cis-12 18:2) FA. Results indicate that supplementing flax seed and oil decreased dry matter intake, as well as actual and energy-corrected milk yield without affecting the efficiency of utilization of dietary dry matter or energy as compared with nonsupplemented iso-energetic controls. When compared with the other 3 types of dietary fat evaluated, flax rich in trienoic FA supported a yield of energy-corrected milk similar to supplements rich in saturated, monoenoic, or dienoic FA. Greater milk fat concentration and feed efficiency were observed with saturated supplements. However, milk fat concentration and yield were lower with dienoic FA than with flax supplements. Further analyses were conducted to compare the effect of different forms of flax oil, seed, or fractions of seed. Among the 6 categories evaluated, mechanically processed whole seed (rolled or ground) allowed the greatest yield of energy-corrected milk and the best feed efficiency when compared with free oil, intact or extruded whole seed, protected flax, and flax hulls. Feeding protected flax and flax hulls allowed the greatest milk fat concentration of cis-9,cis-12,cis-15 18:3. Moreover, the greatest transfer efficiencies of this fatty acid from diet to milk were recorded with the same 2 treatments, plus the mechanically processed whole seed. These results make this last category the most suitable treatment, among the 6 flax forms evaluated, to combine optimum lactation performance and protection of flax constituent cis-9,cis-12,cis-15 18:3.     

Influence of grass-based diets on milk fatty acid composition and milk lipolytic system in Tarentaise and Montbeliarde cow breeds

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of nature of forage on fatty acid composition and lipolytic system in cow milk to increase the nutritional quality of dairy products. Each experiment was divided into a 4-wk preexperimental and 6- or 8-wk experimental period. During the 2 preexperimental periods, 56 midlactating Montbéliarde or Tarentaise cows received a diet based on corn silage. Subsequently, in Experiment 1,40 cowswere allocatedinto 5groups (4Montbéliarde and 4 Tarentaise cows per group) and assigned to dietary treatments: corn silage (87% of dry matter intake), grass silage (86%), ryegrass hay (90%), mountain natural grassland hay (87%), or a diet rich in concentrate (CONC, 65/35% concentrate/hay). In Experiment 2, 16 cows divided into 2 groups were fed during 3 or 6 wk mountain natural pasture (100%) or mountain natural grassland hay (87%). Principal component analysis was applied to describe the relationships among dairy performances, milk fatty acids (FA), and lipolytic system. The milk 18:0, cis-9-18:1, trans-11-18:1, and cis-9, trans-11-18:2 percentages were closely associated with 3-wk mountain natural pasture diet, whereas short- and medium-chain (mostly saturated) FA were associated with the CONC diet. Tarentaise milk fat contained a lower proportion (−3 to 4 g/100 g) of 16:0 and higher proportions of stearic acid and fewer markedly polyunsaturated FA than Montbéliarde milk fat. Milk lipolysis was lowest for CONC and corn silage groups. Milk from Tarentaise cows presented lower initial free FA and postmilking lipolysis. Diets given to cows, especially young grass, modified the milk content of FA with a putative nutritional effect on human health.     

Effects of different forage:concentrate ratios in dairy ewe diets supplemented with sunflower oil on animal performance and milk fatty acid profile

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different forage:concentrate (FC) ratios in dairy ewe diets supplemented with sunflower oil (SO) on animal performance and milk fatty acid (FA) profile, particularly focusing on trans C18:1 FA and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Sixty lactating Assaf ewes were randomly assigned to 6 treatments in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement: 3 FC ratios (30:70, 50:50, and 70:30) and 2 levels of SO addition (0 and 20 g/kg of dry matter). Both the diet FC ratio and SO supplementation affected milk yield, but differences between treatments were small. Although the proportion of concentrate induced limited changes in milk FA profile, dietary SO significantly decreased saturated FA and enhanced total CLA. Furthermore, the incorporation of SO in ewe diets decreased the atherogenicity index value by about 25% and doubled the contents of potentially healthy FA such as trans-11 C18:1 and cis-9,trans-11 CLA. However, the inclusion of SO in a high-concentrate diet (30:70) could switch linoleic acid biohydrogenation pathways, resulting in a significant increase in trans-10 C18:1, trans-9,cis-11 C18:2, and trans-10,cis-12 C18:2 milk fat percentages.