Hot topic: using a stearoyl-CoA desaturase transgene to alter milk fatty acid composition

Stearoyl-CoA desaturase enzyme converts specific medium- and long-chain saturated fatty acids to their monounsaturated form. Transgenic goats expressing a bovine beta-lactoglobulin promoter-rat stearoyl-CoA desaturase cDNA construct in mammary gland epithelial cells were produced by pronuclear microinjection. The fatty acid composition of milk from 4 female transgenic founders was analyzed on d 7, 14, and 30 of their first lactation. In 2 animals, the expression of the transgene changed the overall fatty acid composition of the resulting milk fat to a less saturated and more monounsaturated fatty acid profile at d 7 of lactation; however, this effect diminished by d 30. In addition, one animal had an increased proportion of the rumen-derived monounsaturated fatty acid C18:1 trans11 converted by stearoyl-CoA desaturase to the conjugated linoleic acid isomer C18:2 cis9 trans11. Milk that has higher proportions of monounsaturated fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid may have benefits for human cardiovascular health.     

我国不同泌乳期母乳的脂肪酸构成特征研究

本文总结近15年有关中国妇女母乳脂肪酸构成的现有证据,将大量分散的研究数据及课题组数据按地区和泌乳期进行整合,得到各省级行政区构成的全国汇总数据。共有17个省级行政区的4727例母乳脂肪酸数据被纳入分析,其中初乳1327例,过渡乳900例,成熟乳2500例。进一步对各脂肪酸随泌乳期的变化趋势及其原因进行了探究。结果显示,随着泌乳期的延长,我国母乳中总SFA的构成占比呈增长趋势,C6:0、C15:0和C18:0的含量较为稳定,受泌乳期影响不大,受泌乳期影响较大的SFA中,除C20:0、C22:0、C24:0外,其他SFA在初乳中的含量均显著低于过渡乳或成熟乳(P<0.05)。我国母乳中总MUFA的构成比随泌乳期的延长呈下降趋势,在过渡乳时期下降明显,随后趋于稳定,只有C17:1的含量不受泌乳期的影响,受泌乳期影响的MUFA中,除C16:1外,其他MUFA在初乳中的含量均显著高于过渡乳或成熟乳(P<0.05)。我国母乳中总PUFA的构成占比随泌乳期的延长呈先增高后降低的趋势,n-3 PUFA和n-6 PUFA的变化和此趋势一致。分析比较的结果有利于更加深入而准确地了解我国母乳脂肪酸的构成情况及随泌乳期的变化情况,为一定程度上探明我国人群母乳脂肪酸组成特点、婴幼儿生长发育相关研究及配方食品研发提供基础数据。     

Phospholipids of marine origin. The lantern fish (Lampanyctodes hectoris)

Lantern fish of the species Lampanyctodes hectoris were shown to contain phospholipids (10 g kg^?1) and non-phosphorylated lipids (140 g kg^?1). The phospholipid fraction consisted of phosphatidyl choline (47% of total phospholipids), phosphatidyl ethanolamine (42%), phosphatidyl serine (3%), phosphatidyl inositol (1%), sphingomyelin (4%), lyso-phosphatidyl choline (1%) and cardiolipins (2%). Lantern fish (L hectoris) meals normally contain unacceptably high lipid contents (150 g kg^?1 and over); this characteristic was found not to be due to a high phospholipid level in the lantern fish. The major fatty acid of the phospholipids was C22:6n-3 (25% total fatty acids) followed by C16:0 (18%), C18:ln-9 (16%) and C20:5n-3 (8%). This distribution was different from that of the non-phosphorylated lipids where the major fatty acid was C16:0 (21%) followed by C18:ln-9 (19%), C20:5n-3 (11%), C20:l (7%) and C22:6n-3 (7%). The lantern fish press oil and residual meal lipids had fatty acid distributions similar to those of the non-phosphorylated lipids.     

Lipid content and fatty acid composition of green algae Scenedesmus obliquus grown in a constant cell density apparatus

The lipids of alga Scenedesmus obliquus grown under controlled conditions were separated and fractionated by column and thin-layer chromatography, and fatty acid composition of each lipid component was studied by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC). Total lipids were 11.17%, and neutral lipid, glycolipid and phospholipid fractions were 7.24%, 2.45% and 1.48% on a dry weight basis, respectively. The major neutral lipids were diglycerides, triglycerides, free sterols, hydrocarbons and sterol esters. The glycolipids were: monogalactosyl diglyceride, digalactosyl diglyceride, esterified sterol glycoside, and sterol glycoside. The phospholipids included: phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl glycerol and phosphatidyl ethanolamine. Fourteen fatty acids were identified in the four lipid fractions by GLC. The main fatty acids were C18:2, C16:0, C18:3(alpha), C18:1, C16:3, C16:1, and C16:4. Total unsaturated fatty acid and essential fatty acid compositions of the total algal lipids were 80% and 38%, respectively.     

The use of rapeseed screenings in diets for lactating cows and subsequent effects on milk yield and composition

This trial was to determine the effect of dietary rapeseed screenings on milk production, milk composition, and feed intake of lactating dairy cows. Pelleted rapeseed screenings were fed at 0, 7, and 14% of diet DM. Assignment of 36 multiparous Holstein cows was based upon parity and previous lactation performance. The experimental period was from parturition through wk 16 of lactation. The control ration had 3.1% ether extract, whereas the ration with 14% rapeseed screenings had 5.4% ether extract. The rapeseed screenings contained 52.2% of C18:1 and 24.2% of C18:2 as percentage of total fatty acids. There were no significant effects of dietary treatment on milk yield or feed intake. There were significant increases in milk fatty acids C18:1 and C18:2 for cows consuming the diets with rapeseed screenings. Treatment did not significantly affect milk protein percentage as measured by Kjeldahl N or by the infrared method. Increased unsaturated fatty acids in the milk of cows fed rapeseed screenings had no apparent effect on infrared fat analysis. There was no interaction of treatment and milk fat analysis method (infrared versus Babcock). Dietary treatment did not affect blood serum nonesterified fatty acid concentrations over the 16-wk period. In conclusion, rapeseed screenings, fed at levels up to 14% of the diet, did not affect milk yield, milk protein, or milk fat percentage but did change milk fatty acid composition.     

Effect of lactation stage and energy status on milk fat composition of Holstein-Friesian cows

The effects of lactation stage, negative energy balance (NEB), and milk fat depression (MFD) were estimated on detailed milk fat composition in primiparous Holstein-Friesian cows. One morning milk sample was collected from each of 1,933 cows from 398 commercial Dutch herds in winter 2005. Milk fat composition was measured using gas chromatography, and fat and protein percentage were measured using infrared spectrometry. Each fatty acid changed 0.5 to 1 phenotypic standard deviation over lactation, except odd-chain C5:0 to C15:0, branched-chain fatty acids, and trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). The greatest change was an increase from 31.2 to 33.3% (wt/wt) for C16:0 from d 80 to 150 of lactation. Energy status was estimated for each cow as the deviation from each average lactation fat-to-protein ratio (FPdev). A high FPdev (>0.12) indicated NEB. Negative energy balance was associated with an increase in C16:0 (0.696 ± 0.178) and C18:0 (0.467 ± 0.093), which suggested mobilization of body fat reserves. Furthermore, NEB was associated with a decrease in odd-chain C5:0 to C15:0 (−0.084 ± 0.020), which might reflect a reduced allocation of C3 components to milk fat synthesis. A low FPdev indicated MFD (<−0.12) and was associated with a decrease in C16:0 (−0.681 ± 0.255) and C18:0 (−0.128 ± 0.135) and an increase in total unsaturated fatty acids (0.523 ± 0.227). The study showed that both lactation stage and energy balance significantly contribute to variation in milk fat composition and alter the activity of different fatty acid pathways.     

Milk composition and apparent digestibilities of dietary fatty acids in lactating dairy cows abomasally infused with Cis or Trans fatty acids

Fat supplementation of diets for dairy cows produces changes in nutrient supply and milk composition. The effect of abomasal infusion of either cis-C18:1 or trans-C18:1 fatty acid isomers on the digestibility of fatty acids and milk composition was determined in lactating dairy cows. Six multiparous midlactation Holstein cows were used and fed a control diet containing 50% forage and 50% concentrate. Treatments were (per day): no infusion, infusion of a 630-g fat mixture high in cis-C18:1 isomers, and infusion of a 623-g fat mixture high in trans-C18:1 isomers using two 3 x 3 Latin squares with 4-wk experimental periods. Fat infusion did not affect total dry matter intake and increased apparent digestibilities of total fatty acids. Apparent digestibilities of C18 fatty acids were directly related to the number of double bonds within isomers, and cis-C18:1 isomers were slightly more digestible than trans-C18:1 isomers. The lower yield of C12:0, C14:0, and C16:0 fatty acids in milk fat and higher milk citrate observed when cows were infused with trans-C18:1 suggests a depressed de novo milk fatty acid synthesis. Effects of trans infusion on milk fat were independent of ruminal fermentation, fatty acid apparent absorption, and fatty acid plasma concentrations. Lower milk protein yield in cows infused with fat may have been caused by a decrease in milk protein synthesis.     

Effects of week of lactation and genetic selection for milk yield on milk fatty acid composition in Holstein cows

Control (CL) and select line (SL) dairy cows (n = 22) managed identically but differing in milk yield (>4100 kg/305 d) were used to determine differences in milk fatty acid profile as lactation progressed. Milk yield was recorded daily and milk samples were collected during wk 1, 4, 8, 12, and 16 postpartum for milk composition analysis. Milk samples from wk 1, 8, and 16 were also analyzed for fatty acid composition. Select-line cows produced more milk (44.4 vs. 31.2 kg/d) and milk components than CL cows during the 16-wk period. There was no difference in rate of milk yield increase, but peak milk yield for SL cows was greater and occurred later in lactation. There were no differences in milk SCC or milk fat, protein, or lactose content. Selection for milk yield did not affect the content of most individual milk fatty acids; however, compared with CL, SL cows had a reduced Delta(9)-desaturase system and tended to produce milk with lower monounsaturated fatty acid content. Selection for milk yield did not affect milk fatty acid origin but the percentage of de novo fatty acids increased and preformed fatty acids decreased as lactation progressed. Milk fat trans-11 18:1 and cis-9,trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid increased with progressing lactation (10.7 vs. 14.1 and 3.1 vs. 5.4 mg/g, or 31 and 76%, respectively) and were correlated strongly among wk 1, 8, and 16 of lactation. Temporal changes in the Delta(9)-desaturase system occurred during lactation but these changes were not correlated with milk fat cis-9,trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid content. Results indicate prolonged genetic selection for milk yield had little effect on milk fatty acid composition, but milk fatty acid profiles varied markedly by week of lactation.     

Effect of level of oil inclusion in the diet of dairy cows at pasture on animal performance and milk composition and properties

The effect of including additional oil, incorporated as whole rapeseeds, in the diet of 64 Holstein–Friesian dairy cows (32 mid‐ and 32 late‐lactation) at pasture on animal performance and milk fat composition and properties was followed over a continuous trial of 20 weeks duration. Within two stages of lactation (mid, 130 ± 16.2 days, or late, 231 ± 58.9 days), cows were allocated to concentrate treatments representing four levels of rapeseed oil inclusion, 0 (control), 200, 400 and 600 g oil day^?1. Oil inclusion had little effect on milk yield but decreased milk fat content significantly (P < 0.01), with a mean depression of 0.40% at the highest level of oil inclusion. The content of milk protein also decreased with increasing addition of oil, but the decrease was smaller than the milk fat depression and was not statistically significant. Increasing the level of rapeseed oil in the diet to 600 g oil day^?1 resulted in linear changes in milk fat and protein concentrations which were described by regression equations. For each 100 g of rapeseed oil added to the diet, milk fat content decreased by 0.068% in mid‐lactation cows and 0.061% in late‐lactation cows, while protein content decreased by 0.026% in mid‐lactation cows and 0.028% in late‐lactation cows. Total unsaturated fatty acid content of milk fat also increased in a linear fashion with increased level of oil addition, from 345.7 g kg^?1 total fatty acids in control milk fat to 459.3 g kg^?1 total fatty acids at 600 g oil day^?1, while total saturated fatty acids decreased in the same milk fats from 640.7 to 522.2 g kg^?1 total fatty acids. These changes were reflected in lower solid fat contents (SFC) in the milk fat at the lower temperatures of measurement, eg 41% SFC at 5 °C at the highest level of oil inclusion compared with 52% in the control milk fat. However, SFC at 20 °C showed little difference with increasing level of dietary oil addition, an important factor in maintaining product integrity at room temperatures. The relatively high content of the monounsaturated fatty acid C18:1 (345.5 g kg^?1 total fatty acids at 600 g oil day^?1) and low content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (total C18:2 and C18:3 <40 g kg^?1 total fatty acids at 600 g oil day^?1) ensured that the oxidative stability of the treatment and control milk fats did not differ significantly. Stage of lactation had an unexplained effect of consistent magnitude on milk fat composition throughout the trial period, with late‐lactation animals producing milk fats containing a significantly (P < 0.001) higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids than the mid‐lactation animals. Changes in the proportions of unsaturated fatty acids in milk fat, as reflected by changes in iodine value, were established within 2 weeks of the trial commencing and persisted over the 20 weeks of the trial duration. No adverse effect on animal health from this type of dietary manipulation was identified. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Lipid changes during germination of fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum)

Fenugreek seeds were germinated in the dark for 96 h. Total lipid extracts were prepared and found to decrease on germination. Ultraviolet, visible and infra-red spectra were estimated for the lipids of ungerminated and germinated fenugreek seeds. Free fatty acids (FFA), total chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments increased greatly after germination. On the other hand, triglycerides, phospholipids and unsaponifiable matter decreased. Determination of individual phospholipids showed that phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) constitute about 67% of the total phospholipids of ungerminated seeds. After germination PC and PE decreased whilst phosphatidic acid (PA) and phosphoglyceric acid (PG)—degradation products of phospholipids by phospholipases—increased. The fatty acid composition showed that the total unsaturated fatty acids decreased whilst the total saturated fatty acids increased on germination. The fatty acids 18:2 and 18:3 were the most abundant acids in the lipids of the ungerminated seeds and fell after germination from 41·2% to 31·8% and 23·2% to 14.4%, respectively. The minor constituent fatty acids 20:0, 22:0 and 20:1 increased by 3·3-, 3·0- and 7·8-fold, respectively after germination.     

Milk fatty acid composition and production performance of Danish Holstein and Danish Jersey cows fed different amounts of linseed and rapeseed

Fat supplements are used in diets for dairy cows to increase energy intake and milk production and the fatty acid composition of the feed affects milk fatty acid composition. A total of 74 Danish Holstein and 41 Danish Jersey cows were divided into 4 groups and the cows within each group were fed a mixed ration supplemented with 0, 3.5, 6.8, or 10.2% of dry matter of a linseed:rapeseed (1:3) mixture during lactation wk 6 to 30. Milk yield, fat, and lactose contents were not affected by treatments for Danish Holsteins, whereas these parameters increased when increased amounts of oilseeds were fed to Danish Jerseys. For both breeds, milk protein content decreased when increased amounts of oilseeds were fed. The milk fatty acid composition showed higher concentrations of saturated fatty acids and lower concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids in milk fat from Danish Jerseys compared with Danish Holsteins. Increased amounts of oilseeds in feed increased milk fat concentration of all C18 fatty acids except C18:2 n-6, whereas the content of C6 to C14, C11 to C17, and in particular, C16, decreased. This effect was more pronounced for Danish Holsteins than for Danish Jerseys. The apparent recovery of C18:2 n-6 and C18:3 n-3 decreased when increased amounts of oilseeds were fed; however, this was most likely due to increased amounts of fatty acid from feed used for other energy demands than milk production. It was concluded that up to 6.8% of oilseed supplementation can be fed without production problems and, in many cases, with positive production responses, including an improved milk fatty acid profile.     

Factors affecting variations in the detailed fatty acid profile of Mediterranean buffalo milk determined by 2-dimensional gas chromatography

Buffalo milk is the world's second most widely produced milk, and increasing attention is being paid to its composition, particularly the fatty acid profile. The objectives of the present study were (1) to characterize the fatty acid composition of Mediterranean buffalo milk, and (2) to investigate potential sources of variation in the buffalo milk fatty acid profile. We determined the profile of 69 fatty acid traits in 272 individual samples of Mediterranean buffalo milk using gas chromatography. In total, 51 individual fatty acids were identified: 24 saturated fatty acids, 13 monounsaturated fatty acids, and 14 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The major individual fatty acids in buffalo milk were in the order 16:0, 18:1 cis-9, 14:0, and 18:0. Saturated fatty acids were the predominant fraction in buffalo milk fat (70.49%); monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids were at 25.95 and 3.54%, respectively. Adopting a classification based on carbon-chain length, we found that medium-chain fatty acids (11–16 carbons) represented the greater part (53.7%) of the fatty acid fraction of buffalo milk, whereas long-chain fatty acids (17–24 carbons) and short-chain fatty acids (4–10 carbons) accounted for 32.73 and 9.72%, respectively. The n-3 and n-6 fatty acids were 0.46 and 1.77%, respectively. The main conjugated linoleic acid, rumenic acid, represented 0.45% of total milk fatty acids. Herd/test date and stage of lactation were confirmed as important sources of variation in the fatty acid profile of buffalo milk. The percentages of short-chain and medium-chain fatty acids in buffalo milk increased in early lactation (+0.6 and +3.5%, respectively), whereas long-chain fatty acids decreased (?4.2%). The only exception to this pattern was butyric acid, which linearly decreased from the beginning of lactation, confirmation that its synthesis is independent of malonyl-CoA. These results seem to suggest that in early lactation the mobilization of energy reserves may have less influence on the fatty acid profile of buffalo milk than that of cow milk, probably due to a shorter and less severe period of negative energy balance. Parity affected the profiles of a few traits and had the most significant effects on branched-chain fatty acids. This work provided a detailed overview of the fatty acid profile in buffalo milk including also those fatty acids present in small concentrations, which may have beneficial effects for human health. Our results contributed also to increase the knowledge about the effects of some of the major factors affecting buffalo production traits and fatty acid concentrations in milk, and consequently its technological and nutritional properties.     

Effect of cereal grain and fibre supplements on the fatty acid composition of milk fat of grazing dairy cows in early lactation

Two experiments were undertaken to determine the effects of cereal grain and fibre (hay or straw) supplements on the fatty acid composition of milk fat of grazing dairy cows in early lactation. In both experiments, grain supplements significantly increased (P < 0.05) the proportion of the endogenously synthesized 10:0-16:0 fatty acids. Of the C18 acids, the proportion of 18:0 and 18:3 was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) by grain supplementation, while that of 18:2 was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Irrespective of diet, 18:1 trans-11 was the most dominant trans 18:1 isomer in milk fat. In the first experiment, the proportions of the 18:1 trans-11 isomer and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA, 18:2 cis-9, trans-11) were highest for the pasture-only diets, and significantly (P < 0.05) decreased with grain supplementation. The opposite result was observed in the second experiment, conducted in a different dairy region, suggesting that factors such as the quality of pasture on offer and the physiological state of the cow could affect the content of CLA and trans fatty acids in milk fat. In both experiments, there was a significant positive linear relationship between CLA and 18:1 trans-11. Fibre supplements had little effect on the fatty acid composition of the milk.     

Seasonal changes in phospholipids of mussel (Mytilus edulis Linne)

The phospholipids of mussels (Mytilus edulis Linne) from the coast of Qingdao were extracted, fractionated and analysed over a 12 month period. The contents of total lipids, neutral lipids, polar lipids and phospholipids were measured. The composition of phospholipids was determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography, and their fatty acid composition was analysed by gas chromatography. The phospholipid content ranged from 3.6 to 6.4 g kg^?1 soft tissue. PE (phosphatidyl ethanolamine) and PC (phosphatidyl choline) were the major constituents. C16:0, C20:5 and C22:6 were the major fatty acids. C20:5 (5.25–23.10%) and C22:6 (6.05–20.42%) varied regularly with the seasonal factors. Their total amounts were high from January to June, which would be an optimal time for the utilisation of the phospholipids of mussels. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Feeding micronized and extruded flaxseed to dairy cows: effects on blood parameters and milk fatty acid composition

Four lactating Holstein cows fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square design to determine the effects of feeding micronized and extruded flaxseed on milk composition and blood profile in late lactation. Four diets were formulated: a control (C) diet with no flaxseed, a raw flaxseed (RF) diet, a micronized flaxseed (MF) diet, and an extruded flaxseed (EF) diet. Flaxseed diets contained 12.6% flax-seed (dry matter basis). Experimental periods consisted of 21 d of diet adaptation and 7 d of data collection. Feeding flaxseed reduced milk yield and energy-corrected milk by 1.8 and 1.4 kg/d, respectively. Yields of milk protein and casein were also lower for cows fed flaxseed diets than for those fed the C diet. Milk yield (1.6 kg/d) and milk fat percentage (0.4 percentage unit) were lower for cows fed EF than those fed MF. Plasma cholesterol and nonesterified fatty acid concentrations were higher for cows fed flaxseed diets relative to those fed the C diet. Flaxseed supplementation decreased plasma concentrations of medium-chain (MCFA) and saturated (SFA) fatty acids and increased concentrations of long-chain (LCFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids. Feeding flaxseed reduced the concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), MCFA, and SFA in milk fat. Consequently, concentrations of LCFA and unsaturated fatty acids were higher for cows fed flaxseed diets than for those fed the C diet. Flaxseed supplementation increased average concentrations of C(18:3) and conjugated linoleic acid by 152 and 68%, respectively. Micronization increased C(18:3) level, and extrusion reduced concentrations of SCFA and SFA in milk. It was concluded that feeding raw or heated flaxseed to dairy cows alters blood and milk fatty acid composition. Feeding extruded flaxseed relative to raw or micronized flaxseed had negative effects on milk yield and milk composition.     

Cow colostrum and early milk enriched with eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic fatty acid

The objective of the study was to explore whether it is possible to alter cow colostrum and early milk fatty acid composition with a low level of fat supplement, high in docosahexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) fatty acid. Diets included a control diet and a diet supplemented with DHA- and EPA-enriched fat supplement. Addition of fat supplement significantly decreased saturated fatty acids, C14:0 and C16:0 and increased the values of monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), n3 fatty acids, EPA, DHA, C18:1n9cis and C18:1n11trans. The percentage of short-chain fatty acids significantly increased with the progress of lactation, while the percentage of PUFA, n3 and n6 significantly decreased. These results showed that fat supplement, high in DHA and EPA, modified the fatty acid profile of colostrum and milk fat and increased the proportion of beneficial fatty acids for human health.     

Supercritical fluid extraction and characterization of lipids from algae Scenedesmus obliquus

Supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) extractions (with and without ethanol as an entrainer) were carried out to remove lipids and pigments from protein concentrate of green algae (Scenedesmus obliquus) cultivated under controlled conditions. The content and fatty acid composition of algal lipids using column, thin-layer (TLC) and gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) were determined. Absorption spectra of extracted fractions showed the predominance of chlorophyll A (lambda max at 410 nm). Single step supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) extraction resulted mostly in removal of neutral lipids and a part of glycolipids, but phospholipids were not extracted. Addition of ethanol to SC-CO2 increased the amount of glycolipids and phospholipids in the extract. TLC pattern of algal lipids showed that the main part of neutral lipids consisted of diglycerides, triglycerides, hydrocarbons, free sterols, and sterol esters. The glycolipids were mostly monogalactosyl diglyceride, digalactosyl diglyceride, esterified sterol glycoside, and sterol glycoside. In phospholipids, phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl glycerol, and phosphatidyl ethanolamine were the main compounds. Fatty acid composition patterns indicated the main fatty acids to be 16:0, 16:1, 16:2, 16:3, 16:4, 18:1, 18:2, and 18:3(a). Relatively high recovery of polyunsaturated fatty acids and essential fatty acids in supercritical fluid extracted algal lipids and proteins isolates were observed.     

Fatty acid composition of milk from multiparous Holstein cows treated with bovine somatotropin and fed n-3 fatty acids in early lactation

Multiparous cows (n = 59) were blocked by expected calving date and previous milk yield and assigned randomly to treatments to determine effects of bovine somatotropin (bST; Posilac, Monsanto Animal Agricultural Group, St. Louis, MO) and source of dietary fat on milk fatty acid composition during the first 140 d in milk. Diets were provided from calving and included whole, high-oil sunflower seeds (SS; 10% of dietary dry matter; n-6/n-3 ratio of 4.6) as a source of linoleic acid or a mixture of Alifet-High Energy and Alifet-Repro (AF; Alifet USA, Cincinnati, OH; 3.5 and 1.5% of dietary dry matter, respectively; n-6/n-3 ratio of 2.6) as a source of protected n-3 fatty acids (15.7% 18:3, 1.3% 20:5, and 1.3% 22:6). Treatments were derived from a 2 × 2 combination of supplemental fat source (SS, AF) and with 0 (SSN, AFN) or 500 (SSY, AFY) mg of bST administered every 10 d from 12 to 70 d in milk and at 14-d intervals thereafter. Milk fatty acid composition was determined in samples collected from 32 cows (8 complete blocks) during wk 2, 8, and 20 of lactation. Data were analyzed as repeated measures using mixed model procedures to determine the effects of diet, bST, week of lactation, and their interactions. Proportions of 18:3 (4.02 vs. 3.59 ± 0.16%), 20:5 (0.52 vs. 0.41 ± 0.02%), and 22:6 (0.11 vs. 0.02 ± 0.02%) were greater and the n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio (7.40 vs. 8.80 ± 0.30) was reduced in milk from cows fed AF compared with SS. Proportions of de novo-synthesized fatty acids increased and preformed fatty acids decreased as lactation progressed, but bST administration delayed this shift in origin of milk fatty acids. Transfer efficiency of 18:3, 20:5, and 22:6 from AF to milk fat averaged 36.2, 4.9, and 5.2%, respectively. These efficiencies increased as lactation progressed, but were delayed by bST. Apparent mammary Δ⁹-desaturase activity and milk conjugated linoleic acid (cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid) content increased through the first 8 wk of lactation. Based on the product-to-substrate ratio of 14:1/14:0 fatty acids in milk, there was an interaction of diet and bST because bST decreased apparent Δ⁹-desaturase activity in SSY cows but increased it in AFY cows (0.10, 0.09, 0.08, and 0.09 ± 0.01 for SSN, SSY, AFN, and AFY, respectively). Feeding Alifet-Repro increased n-3 fatty acids in milk and bST prolonged the partitioning of dietary fatty acids into milk fat.     

Duodenal rapeseed oil infusion in early and midlactation cows. 5. Milk fatty acids and adipose tissue lipogenic activities

Lipogenic activities of perirenal adipose tissue were investigated in early (wk 3) and midlactation (wk 19 to 26) cows that received a duodenal rapeseed oil infusion (1.0 to 1.1 kg/d). In midlactation, oil infusion resulted in a decreased rate of fatty acid synthesis from acetate and a decreased rate of the activities of fatty acid synthetase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, whereas lipoprotein lipase activity tended to increase. The rate of glucose incorporation into glyceride-glycerol and the activities of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme were not significantly affected. Fatty acid C14:0 content of perirenal adipose tissue was decreased, and fatty acid C18:2 and C18:3 contents were increased in oil-infused cows. In early lactation, rates of acetate incorporation into fatty acids and activities of fatty acid synthetase and lipoprotein lipase were very low. Activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase were lower in the early than in the midlactation trial. Oil infusion did not change the measured parameters. In both trials, percentages and yields of milk fatty acids C18:1, C18:2, and C18:3 were increased, whereas those of C14:0 and C16:0 were decreased by oil. Calculated transfer rates of absorbed fatty acid C18:2 from oil to milk fat were 16 to 26%. Results suggested that oil fatty acids affected adipose and mammary de novo lipogenesis in a direct way without affecting fatty acid esterification in adipose tissue or total fat secretion in mammary tissue.