Milk fatty acid profile and dairy sheep performance in response to diet supplementation with sunflower oil plus incremental levels of marine algae

In an attempt to develop strategies for enhancing the nutritional value of sheep milk fat, dairy ewe diet was supplemented with 3 incremental levels of marine algae (MA), in combination with sunflower oil, to evaluate the effects of these marine lipids on milk fatty acid (FA) profile and animal performance. Fifty Assaf ewes in mid lactation were distributed in 10 lots of 5 animals each and allocated to 5 treatments (2 lots per treatment): no lipid supplementation (control) or supplementation with 25 g of sunflower oil/kg of DM plus 0 (SO), 8 (SOMA₁), 16 (SOMA₂), or 24 (SOMA₃) g of MA (56.7% ether extract)/kg of DM. Milk production and composition, including FA profile, were analyzed on d 0, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 of treatment. Neither intake nor milk yield were significantly affected by lipid addition, but all MA supplements decreased milk fat content from d 14 onward, reaching a 30% reduction after 28 d on SOMA₃. This milk fat depression might be related not only to the joint action of some putative fat synthesis inhibitors, such as trans-9,cis-11 C18:2 and probably trans-10 C18:1, but also to the limited ability of the mammary gland to maintain a desirable milk fat fluidity, that would have been caused by the noticeable increase in trans-C18:1 together with the lowered availability of stearic acid for oleic acid synthesis through Δ⁹-desaturase. Furthermore, all lipid supplements, and mainly MA, reduced the secretion of de novo FA (C6:0-C14:0) without increasing the yield of preformed FA (>C16). Supplementation with sunflower oil plus MA resulted in larger increases in cis-9,trans-11 C18:2 than those observed with sunflower oil alone, achieving a mean content as high as 3.22% of total FA and representing a more than 7-fold increase compared with the control. Vaccenic acid (trans-11 C18:1) was also significantly enhanced (on average +794% in SOMA treatments), as was C22:6 n-3 (DHA) content, although the transfer efficiency of the latter, from the diets to the milk, was very low (5%). However, the highest levels of MA inclusion (SOMA₂ and SOMA₃) reduced the milk n-6:n-3 ratio, but MA supplements caused an important increase in trans-10 C18:1, which would rule out the possibility that this milk has a healthier fat profile before determining the specific role of each individual FA and ensuring that this trans-FA is at least innocuous in relation to cardiovascular disease risk.     

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.     

Stability of fatty acid composition after thermal,high pressure,and microwave processing of cow milk as affected by polyunsaturated fatty acid concentration

Interest has been increasing to enhance the contents of healthy polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) in milk. However, trans fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) can be altered after thermal processing and high pressures disrupt the milk fat globule membrane, exposing the lipid core and helping its oxidation. The objective of the present research was to study whether processing can alter the fatty acid composition of milk and if these changes are affected by PUFA concentration as previous studies suggest. Two cow milk batches (500 L each), one naturally enriched in PUFA, were processed to obtain pasteurized; high temperature, short time; UHT; high pressure; and microwave pasteurized samples. The detailed fatty acid composition was analyzed with special attention to trans fatty acids and CLA isomers. Results showed that after high temperature, short time processing, total CLA content increased in both milk batches, whereas sterilization resulted in a sigmatropic rearrangement of C18:2 cis-9,trans-11 to C18:2 trans-9,trans-11. The extent of these effects was greater in milks naturally enriched in PUFA.     

Changes in milk fat in response to dietary supplementation with calcium salts of trans-18:1 or conjugated linoleic fatty acids in lactating dairy cows

Milk fat was investigated in lactating dairy cows fed diets supplemented with Ca salts of trans fatty acids (Ca-tFA) or Ca salts of conjugated linoleic acids (Ca-CLA). Forty-five Holstein cows (115 days in milk) were fed a control diet (51% forage; dry matter basis) supplemented with 400 g of EnerG II (Ca salts of palm oil fatty acids) for 2 wk; subsequently, 5 groups of 9 cows each were assigned for 4 wk to the control diet or diets containing 100 g of Ca-CLA or 100, 200, or 400 g of Ca-tFA in a randomized block design. Treatments had no effect on dry matter intake, milk production, protein, lactose, or somatic cell count. Milk fat percentage was reduced from 3.39% in controls to 3.30, 3.04, and 2.98%, respectively, by the Ca-tFA diets and to 2.54% by the Ca-CLA diet. Milk fat yield (1.24 kg/d in controls) was decreased by 60, 130, and 190 g/d with increasing dose of Ca-tFA and by 290 g/d with the Ca-CLA supplement. Consistent with increased endogenous synthesis of cis-9-containing CLA from precursors provided by the Ca-tFA diets, total CLA were similar in milk of cows fed Ca-CLA or Ca-tFA. Compared with controls, the Ca-CLA diet increased trans-10, cis-12-18:2 yield in milk, without altering levels of trans-18:1 isomers. In contrast, yields of most trans-18:1 isomers were elevated in milk of cows fed Ca-tFA diets, whereas yields of trans-10, cis-12-18:2 remained similar to control values. We conclude that milk fat depression can occur without an increase in trans-10, cis-12-18:2 in milk and that other components, perhaps the trans-10-18:1 isomer, may be involved.     

Evaluating the conjugated linoleic acid and trans 18:1 isomers in milk fat of dairy cows fed increasing amounts of sunflower oil and a constant level of fish oil

The objective was to evaluate different levels of sun-flower oil (SFO) in dairy rations to increase vaccenic (trans-11-18:1) and rumenic acids (cis-9,trans-11-18:2) in milk fat, and assess the content and composition of other trans-octadecenoic (trans-18:1) and conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) isomers. Eighty lactating Holstein cows were fed control diets for 4 wk and then placed on 4 diets for 38 d; milk fat was analyzed after 10 and 38 d. The treatments were: control, 1.5% SFO plus 0.5% fish oil (FO), 3% SFO plus 0.5% FO, and 4.5% SFO plus 0.5% FO. The forage-to-concentrate ratio was 50:50 and consisted of barley/alfalfa/hay silage and corn/barley grain concentrate. There were no differences in milk production. Supplementation of SFO/FO reduced milk fat compared with respective pretreatment periods, but milk protein and lactose levels were not affected. There was a linear decrease in all short- and medium-chain saturated fatty acids (SFA) in milk fat after 10 d (25.5, 24.1, 20.2, and 16.7%) and a corresponding linear increase in total trans-18:1 (5.2, 9.1, 14.1, and 21.3%) and total CLA (0.7, 1.9, 2.4, and 3.9%). The other FA in milk fat were not affected. Separation of trans-18:1 isomers was achieved by combination of gas chromatography (GC; 100-m highly polar capillary column) and prior separation of trans FA by silver ion-thin layer chromatography followed by GC. The CLA isomers were resolved by a combination of GC and silver ion-HPLC. The trans-11- and trans-10-18:1 isomers accounted for ∼50% of the total trans-18:1 increase when SFO/FO diets were fed. On continued feeding to 38 d, trans-11-18:1 increased with 1.5% SFO/FO, stayed the same with 3%, and declined with 4.5% SFO/FO. Rumenic acid showed a similar pattern on continued feeding as trans-11-18:2; levels increased to 0.43, 1.5, 1.9, and 3.4% at 10 d and to 0.42, 2.15, 2.09, and 2.78% at 38 d. Rumenic acid was the major CLA isomer in all 4 diets: 66, 77, 78 and 85%. The CLA isomers trans-7,cis-9-, trans-9,cis-11-, trans-10,cis-12-, trans-11,trans-13-, and trans-9,trans-11-/trans-10,trans-12-18:2 also increased from 0.18 (control) to 0.52% (4.5% SFO/FO). Milk fat produced from 3% SFO/FO appeared most promising: trans-11-18:1 and cis-9,trans-11-18:2 increased 4.5-fold, total SFA reduced 18%, and moderate levels of trans-10-18:1 (3.2%), other trans-18:1 (6.6%) and CLA isomers (0.5%) were observed, and that composition remained unchanged to 38 d. The 4.5% SFO/FO diet produced higher levels of trans-11-18:1 and cis-9,trans-11-18:2, a 28% reduction in SFA, and similar levels of other trans-18:1 (9.2%) and CLA isomers (0.52%), but the higher levels of trans-11-18:1 and cis-9,trans-11-18:2 were not sustained. A stable milk fat quality was achieved by feeding moderate amounts of SFO (3% of DM) in the presence of 0.5% FO that had 4% vaccenic and 2% rumenic acids.     

Effect of plant oils and camelina expeller on milk fatty acid composition in lactating cows fed diets based on red clover silage

Five multiparous Finnish Ayrshire cows fed red clover silage-based diets were used in a 5 × 5 Latin square with 21-d experimental periods to evaluate the effects of various plant oils or camelina expeller on animal performance and milk fatty acid composition. Treatments consisted of 5 concentrate supplements containing no additional lipid (control), or 29 g/kg of lipid from rapeseed oil (RO), sunflower-seed oil (SFO), camelina-seed oil (CO), or camelina expeller (CE). Cows were offered red clover silage ad libitum and 12 kg/d of experimental concentrates. Treatments had no effect on silage or total dry matter intake, whole-tract digestibility coefficients, milk yield, or milk composition. Plant oils in the diet decreased short- and medium-chain saturated fatty acid (6:0-16:0) concentrations, including odd- and branched-chain fatty acids and enhanced milk fat 18:0 and 18-carbon unsaturated fatty acid content. Increases in the relative proportions of cis 18:1, trans 18:1, nonconjugated 18:2, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and polyunsaturated fatty acids in milk fat were dependent on the fatty acid composition of oils in the diet. Rapeseed oil in the diet was associated with the enrichment of trans 18:1 (Δ4, 6, 7, 8, and 9), cis-9 18:1, and trans-7,cis-9 CLA, SFO resulted in the highest concentrations of trans-5, trans-10, and trans-11 18:1, Δ9,11 CLA, Δ10,12 CLA, and 18:2n-6, whereas CO enhanced trans-13-16 18:1, Δ11,15 18:2, Δ12,15 18:2, cis-9,trans-13 18:2, Δ11,13 CLA, Δ12,14 CLA, Δ13,15 CLA, Δ9,11,15 18:3, and 18:3n-3. Relative to CO, CE resulted in lower 18:0 and cis-9 18:1 concentrations and higher proportions of trans-10 18:1, trans-11 18:1, cis-9,trans-11 CLA, cis-9,trans-13 18:2, and trans-11,cis-15 18:2. Comparison of milk fat composition responses to CO and CE suggest that the biohydrogenation of unsaturated 18-carbon fatty acids to 18:0 in the rumen was less complete for camelina lipid supplied as an expeller than as free oil. In conclusion, moderate amounts of plant oils in diets based on red clover silage had no adverse effects on silage dry matter intake, nutrient digestion, or milk production, but altered milk fat composition, with changes characterized as a decrease in saturated fatty acids, an increase in trans fatty acids, and enrichment of specific unsaturated fatty acids depending on the fatty acid composition of lipid supplements.     

Effect of fish oil and sunflower oil on rumen fermentation characteristics and fatty acid composition of digesta in ewes fed a high concentrate diet

Studies in ruminants have shown that supplementing the diet with a mixture of fish oil (FO) and sunflower oil (SO) enhances the concentration of cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), 20:5 n-3, and 22:6 n-3 in milk because of alterations in ruminal biohydrogenation, but the intermediates formed under these conditions are not well characterized. Five ewes fitted with rumen cannula and fed a high concentrate diet were used to examine the effect of a mixture (30 g/kg of DM) of FO and SO (1:2, wt/wt) on temporal changes in rumen fermentation characteristics and the relative abundance of biohydrogenation intermediates in ruminal digesta collected after 0, 3, and 10 d on diet. Appearance and identification of biohydrogenation intermediates was determined based on complementary gas-liquid chromatography and Ag+-HPLC analysis of fatty acid methyl esters and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of corresponding 4,4-dimethyloxazoline derivatives. Inclusion of FO and SO in the diet had no effect on rumen pH, volatile fatty acid concentrations, or nutrient digestion, but altered the fatty acid composition of ruminal digesta, changes that were characterized by time-dependent decreases in 18:0 and 18:2 n-6 and the accumulation of trans 16:1, trans 18:1, 10-O-18:0, and trans 18:2. Lipid supplements enhanced the proportion of 20:5 n-3 and 22:6 n-3 in digesta and resulted in numerical increases in cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid concentrations, but decreased the relative abundance of trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid. Furthermore, detailed analysis revealed the appearance of several unique 20:1, 20:2, 22:1, 22:3, and 22:4 products in ruminal digesta that accumulated over time, providing the first indications of 20 and 22 carbon fatty acid intermediates formed during the biohydrogenation of long-chain unsaturated fatty acids in sheep. In conclusion, FO and SO in a high concentrate diet caused a time-dependent inhibition of the complete biohydrogenation of 16 and 18 carbon unsaturated fatty acids, and resulted in the accumulation of trans 16:1, trans 18:1, and trans 18:2, 20, and 22 carbon metabolites in ruminal digesta of sheep, with no evidence of a shift in ruminal biohydrogenation pathways toward trans-10 18:1 formation.     

Survey of the fatty acid composition of retail milk in the United States including regional and seasonal variations

Consumers are increasingly aware that food components have the potential to influence human health maintenance and disease prevention, and dietary fatty acids (FA) have been of special interest. It has been 25 years since the last survey of US milk FA composition, and during this interval substantial changes in dairy rations have occurred, including increased use of total mixed rations and byproduct feeds as well as the routine use of lipid and FA supplements. Furthermore, analytical procedures have improved allowing greater detail in the routine analysis of FA, especially trans FA. Our objective was to survey US milk fat and determine its FA composition. We obtained samples of fluid milk from 56 milk processing plants across the US every 3 mo for one year to capture seasonal and geographical variations. Processing plants were selected based on the criteria that they represented 50% or more of the fluid milk produced in that area. An overall summary of the milk fat analysis indicated that saturated fatty acids comprised 63.7% of total milk FA with palmitic and stearic acids representing the majority (44.1 and 18.3% of total saturated fatty acids, respectively). Unsaturated fatty acids were 33.2% of total milk FA with oleic acid predominating (71.0% of total unsaturated fatty acids). These values are comparable to those of the previous survey in 1984, considering differences in analytical techniques. Trans FA represented 3.2% of total FA, with vaccenic acid being the major trans isomer (46.5% of total trans FA). Cis-9, trans-11 18:2 conjugated linoleic acid represented 0.55% total milk FA, and the major n-3 FA (linolenic acid, 18:3) composed 0.38%. Analyses for seasonal and regional effects indicated statistical differences for some FA, but these were minor from an overall human nutrition perspective as the FA profile for all samples were numerically similar. Overall, the present study provides a valuable database for current FA composition of US fluid milk, and results demonstrate that the milk fatty acid profile is remarkably consistent across geographic regions and seasons from the perspective of human dietary intake of milk fat.     

Milk fatty acid composition of grazing dairy cows when supplemented with linseed oil

The effects of varying amounts of linseed oil (LSO) in grazing dairy cows’ diet on milk conjugated linoleic acid (cis-9, trans-11 CLA) were investigated in this study. Twelve Holstein cows in midlactation (150 ± 19 DIM) were placed on alfalfa-based pasture and assigned to 4 treatments using a 4 × 4 Latin square design with 3-wk periods. Treatments were: 1) control grain supplement; 2) control grain supplement containing 170 g of LSO (LSO1); 3) control grain supplement containing 340 g of LSO (LSO2); and 4) control grain supplement containing 510 g of LSO (LSO3). Grain supplements were offered at 7 kg/d. Additional 100 g/d of algae, divided evenly between the 2 feeding times, were added to every treatment diet. Milk samples were collected during the last 3 d of each period and analyzed for chemical and fatty acid composition. Treatments had no effect on milk production (18.9, 18.5, 19.6, and 19.1 kg/d for treatments 1 to 4, respectively). Linseed oil supplementation caused a quadratic increase in milk fat (3.23, 3.44, 3.35, and 3.27% for treatments 1 to 4, respectively) and protein (3.03, 3.19, 3.12, and 3.08%) contents. Concentrations (g/100 g of fatty acids) of milk cis-9, trans-11 CLA (1.12, 1.18, 1.39, and 1.65 for treatments 1 to 4, respectively) and VA (3.39, 3.62, 4.25, and 4.89) linearly increased with LSO supplementations. Results from this trial suggest that the increase in milk cis-9, trans-11 CLA was proportional to the amounts of LSO fed. In conclusion, adding LSO to grazing dairy cow diets can improve the nutritional value of milk without compromising milk composition or cow performance.     

Diet supplementation with fish oil and sunflower oil to increase conjugated linoleic acid levels in milk fat of partially grazing dairy cows

The objective of this study was to determine the long-term effect on milk conjugated linoleic acid (cis-9, trans-11 CLA) of adding fish oil (FO) and sunflower oil (SFO) to the diets of partially grazing dairy cows. Fourteen Holstein cows were divided into 2 groups (7 cows/treatment) and fed either a control or oil-supplemented diet for 8 wk while partially grazing pasture. Cows in group 1 were fed a grain mix diet (8.0 kg/d, DM basis) containing 400 g of saturated animal fat (control). Cows in the second group were fed the same grain mix diet except the saturated animal fat was replaced with 100 g of FO and 300 g of SFO. Cows were milked twice a day and milk samples were collected weekly throughout the trial. Both groups grazed together on alfalfa-based pasture ad libitum and were fed their treatment diets after the morning and afternoon milking. Milk production (30.0 and 31.2 kg/d), milk fat percentages (3.64 and 3.50), milk fat yield (1.08 and 1.09 kg/d), milk protein percentages (2.97 and 2.88), and milk protein yield (0.99 and 0.91 kg/d) for diets 1 and 2, respectively, were not affected by the treatment diets. The concentrations of cis-9, trans-11 CLA (1.64 vs. 0.84 g/100 g of fatty acids) and vaccenic acid (5.11 vs. 2.20 g/100 g of fatty acids) in milk fat were higher for cows fed the oil-supplemented diet over the 8 wk of oil supplementation. The concentration of cis-9, trans-11 CLA in milk fat reached a maximum (1.0 and 1.64 g/100 g of fatty acids for diets 1 and 2, respectively) in wk 1 for both diets and remained relatively constant thereafter. The concentration of vaccenic acid in milk fat followed the same temporal pattern as cis-9, trans-11 CLA. In conclusion, supplementing the diet of partially grazing cows with FO and SFO increased the milk cis-9, trans-11 CLA content, and that increase remained relatively constant after 1 wk of oil supplementation.     

Milk conjugated linoleic acid response to fish oil supplementation of diets differing in fatty acid profiles

The objective of this experiment was to examine the effect of feeding fish oil (FO) along with fat sources that varied in their fatty acid compositions (high stearic, high oleic, high linoleic, or high linolenic acids) to determine which combination would lead to maximum conjugated linoleic acid (cis-9,trans-11 CLA) and transvaccenic acid (TVA) concentrations in milk fat. Twelve Holstein cows (eight multiparous and four primiparous cows) at 73 (+/- 32) DIM were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square with 4-wk periods. Treatment diets were 1) 1% FO plus 2% fat source high in stearic acid (HS), 2) 1% FO plus 2% fat from high oleic acid sunflower seeds (HO), 3) 1% FO plus 2% fat from high linoleic acid sunflower seeds (HLO), and 4) 1% FO plus 2% fat from flax seeds (high linolenic; HLN). Diets formulated to contain 18% crude protein were composed of 50% (dry basis) concentrate mix, 25% corn silage, 12.5% alfalfa haylage, and 12.5% alfalfa hay. Milk production (35.8, 36.3, 34.9, and 35.0 kg/d for diets 1 to 4) was similar for all diets. Milk fat percentages (3.14, 2.81, 2.66, and 3.08) and yields (1.13, 1.02, 0.93, and 1.08 kg/d) for diets 1 to 4 were lowest for HLO. Milk protein percentages (3.04, 3.03, 3.10, and 3.08) and dry matter intake (DMI) (25.8, 26.0, 26.2, and 26.2 kg/d) for diets 1 to 4 were similar for all diets. Milk cis-9,trans-11 CLA concentrations (0.70, 1.04, 1.70, and 1.06 g/100 g fatty acids) for diet 1 to 4 and yields (7.7, 10.7, 15.8, and 11.3 g/d) for diets 1 to 4 were greatest with HLO and were least with HS. Milk cis-9,trans-11 CLA concentrations and yields were similar for cows fed the HO and the HLN diets. Similar to milk cis-9,trans-11 CLA, milk TVA concentration (1.64, 2.49, 3.74, and 2.41 g/100 g fatty acids) for diets 1 to 4 was greatest with the HLO diet and least with the HS diet. Feeding a high linoleic acid fat source with fish oil most effectively increased concentrations and yields of milk cis-9,trans-11 CLA and TVA.     

Effect of a diet enriched in whole linseed and sunflower oil on goat milk fatty acid composition and conjugated linoleic acid isomer profile

The aim of the present research was to study changes in milk composition and fatty acid profile, specifically conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and its isomers, in goat milk as affected by dietary supplementation of sun-flower oil and whole linseed (0.81 and 1.84% of dry matter on basal diet, respectively) and to assess the persistency of the response. To achieve this objective, bulk milk from a herd and from 6 individual dairy goats fed a diet supplemented with sunflower oil and whole linseed was monitored for a period of 3 mo. Gas chromatography and silver ion HPLC were used to analyze total CLA content and the isomeric profile of these fatty acids, respectively. The contents of α-linolenic acid increased from 0.35% with the reference diet to 0.62% with the supplemented diet. Similarly, CLA milk content increased from 0.46 to 1.18%. The same pattern was also observed for trans-11 C18:1 (1.38 to 4.05%, respectively) in goat milk after 3 mo of lipid supplementation. In contrast, changes in other trans C18:1 isomers were less remarkable. There was a strong linear correlation between cis-9, trans-11 C18:2, the main CLA isomer, and trans-11 C18:1 under the conditions assayed and their concentration remained stable throughout the duration of the study. Levels of the minor CLA isomers were also enhanced as a consequence of lipid supplementation. The most remarkable increases were observed for 11-13 (trans-trans and trans-cis geometric isomers), whereas trans-7, cis-9 (the second most important CLA isomer from a quantitative point of view) and trans-10, cis-12 increased only slightly with lipid supplementation.     

Conjugated linoleic acid increases in milk when cows fed fish meal and extruded soybeans for an extended period of time

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of feeding a conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) stimulating diet for an extended period of time on milk cis-9, trans-11 CLA and vaccenic acid (VA) concentrations. Twenty cows (16 Holstein and 4 Brown Swiss) were divided into 2 groups (n = 10 per treatment) for a 10-wk study. Cows in group 1 were fed a traditional corn-soybean-basal diet (control), while those in group 2 were fed a blend of 0.5% fish oil from fish meal and 2% soybean oil from extruded soybeans (FMESB) to achieve higher milk fat cis-9, trans-11 CLA and VA. Diets were formulated to contain 18% CP and were composed (dry matter basis) of 50% concentrate mix, 25% corn silage, and 25% alfalfa hay. Dry matter intake was not affected by diet. Milk production increased in cows fed the FMESB diet. Milk fat and milk protein percentages decreased with the FMESB diet; however, milk fat and protein yields were not affected by treatments. Milk fat cis-9, trans-11 CLA and VA concentration (g/100 of fatty acids) and yield (g/d) were 2.5-fold greater for cows fed the FMESB diet over the 10 wk of fat supplementation. For cows fed the FMESB diet, contents of milk fat cis-9, trans-11 CLA and VA gradually increased from the first week of fat supplementation, reached the highest concentrations in wk 3, then gradually decreased during wk 4 and 5 and then remained relatively constant until wk 10. The concentration of cis-9, trans-11 CLA and VA from the control diet was relatively constant over the 10 wk of fat supplementation. Concentrations of cis-9, trans-11 CLA and VA in milk fat can be increased within a week by feeding a blend of fish meal and extruded soybeans, and that increase remains relatively constant after wk 5 of fat supplementation.     

Comparing the fatty acid composition of organic and conventional milk

During a 12-mo longitudinal study, bulk-tank milk was collected each month from organic (n = 17) and conventional (n = 19) dairy farms in the United Kingdom. All milk samples were analyzed for fatty acid (FA) content, with the farming system type, herd production level, and nutritional factors affecting the FA composition investigated by use of mixed model analyses. Models were constructed for saturated fatty acids, the ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) to monounsaturated fatty acids, total n-3 FA, total n-6 FA, conjugated linoleic acid, and vaccenic acid. The ratio of n-6:n-3 FA in both organic and conventional milk was also compared. Organic milk had a higher proportion of PUFA to monounsaturated fatty acids and of n-3 FA than conventional milk, and contained a consistently lower n-6:n-3 FA ratio (which is considered beneficial) compared with conventional milk. There was no difference between organic and conventional milk with respect to the proportion of conjugated linoleic acid or vaccenic acid. A number of factors other than farming system were identified which affected milk FA content including month of year, herd average milk yield, breed type, use of a total mixed ration, and access to fresh grazing. Thus, organic dairy farms in the United Kingdom produce milk with a higher PUFA content, particularly n-3 FA, throughout the year. However, knowledge of the effects of season, access to fresh grazing, or use of specific silage types could be used by producers to enhance the content of beneficial FA in milk.     

Milk conjugated linoleic acid response to fish oil and sunflower oil supplementation to dairy cows managed under two feeding systems

Earlier research showed that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content in milk fat is highest when cows’ diets are supplemented with a blend of fish oil (FO) and linoleic acid-rich oils. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of FO and sunflower oil (SFO) supplementation on milk cis-9, trans-11 CLA when dairy cows managed on pasture or in confinement. Fourteen Holstein cows were assigned into 2 treatment groups: cows grazed on alfalfa-grass pasture (PAS) or were fed corn silage-alfalfa hay mix ad libitum (LOT). Both groups were supplemented with a 8.2 kg/d grain supplement containing 640 g of FO and SFO (1:3 wt/wt). Grain supplement was fed in 2 equal portions after each milking, for a period of 3 wk. Milk samples were collected during the last 3 d of the experimental period. Milk yield was greater with the LOT diet (23.1 kg/d) compared with the PAS diet (19.4 kg/d). Milk fat percentages (2.51 and 2.95 for the LOT and PAS, respectively) and yields (0.57 and 0.51 kg/d) were similar for the 2 diets. Milk protein percentages were not affected by diets (3.34 and 3.35 for the LOT and PAS diets, respectively), but protein yields were lower for the PAS diet (0.61 kg/d) compared with the LOT diet (0.75 kg/d). Treatment diets had no effect on milk trans C18:1 concentrations [10.64 and 9.82 g/100 g of total fatty acids (FA) for the LOT and PAS, respectively] or yields (60.65 and 64.01 g/d), but did affect isomers distributions. Concentration (g/100 g of total FA) of vaccenic acid was lower with the LOT diet (2.15) compared with the PAS diet (4.52), whereas concentration of trans-10 C18:1 was greater with the LOT diet (4.99) compared with the PAS diet (1.69). Milk cis-9, trans-11 CLA concentration was greater with the PAS diet (1.52) compared with the LOT diet (0.84). In conclusion, the increase in milk cis-9, trans-11 CLA content was greater when pasture-based diets were supplemented with FO and SFO. The lower cis-9, trans-11 CLA concentration in milk from the confinement-fed cows resulted from trans-10 C18:1 replacing vaccenic acid as the predominant trans C18:1 isomer.     

Production and metabolic responses of periparturient Holstein cows to dietary conjugated linoleic acid and trans-octadecenoic acids

Thirty-eight multiparous Holstein cows were utilized in a completely randomized design to examine the effect of feeding calcium salts of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and trans-octadecenoic acids (trans-C18:1) on animal performance and lipid and glucose metabolism during the transition to lactation. Dietary treatments were initiated approximately 28 d prior to expected calving dates and continued through d 49 postpartum. Prepartum treatments consisted of 1) a basal diet (Control), 2) basal diet + 150 g/d of CLA mix (CLA), and 3) basal diet + 150 g/d of trans-C18:1 mix (TRANS). Amounts of calcium salts of CLA and trans-C18:1 mixes were adjusted to 225 g/d during the 49-d postpartum treatment period. All diets were offered as a total mixed ration. Prepartum fat supplementation had no detectable effects on dry matter intake, body weight, or body condition score. After parturition, cows in the TRANS group consumed less dry matter at wk 4, 5, and 6 of lactation than did cows in the control group. Cows fed the trans-C18:1 supplement were in a more severe negative energy balance than those fed the control diet at 1 wk of lactation. Periparturient fat supplementation had no detectable effects on milk yield during wk 1 to 7 of lactation. Milk fat was not affected during wk 1 to 4, but was reduced after wk 4 of lactation by dietary CLA. Feeding calcium salts of CLA decreased short- to medium-chain fatty acid (C4 to C14) concentrations and increased both linoleic and linolenic acid concentrations in milk fat. Concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids and beta-hydroxybutyric acid in blood were greater in cows fed the CLA-supplemented diet than in those fed the control diet at 1 wk of lactation. In spite of small numerical tendencies, hepatic lipid and triacylglycerol concentrations did not vary significantly among dietary treatments. Periparturient fat supplementation had no detectable effects on plasma glucose and insulin concentrations. Steady-state concentrations of hepatic mRNA encoding pyruvate carboxylase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase were greater for the TRANS treatment group than the control and CLA groups. Results indicate that dietary CLA and trans-C18:1 fatty acids may affect lipid and glucose metabolism in early postpartum Holstein cows through distinct mechanisms.     

Response of milk fatty acid composition to dietary supplementation of soy oil, conjugated linoleic acid, or both

Thirty-six Holstein cows were blocked by parity and allotted by stage of lactation to 6 treatments to evaluate the effects of dietary soy oil, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA; free acid or calcium salt), or both, on CLA content of milk. Diets were fed for 4 wk and are as follows: (1) control, (2) control + 5% soy oil, (3) control + 1% CLA, (4) control + 1% Ca(CLA)₂, (5) control + 1% CLA + 4% soy oil, and (6) control + 1% Ca(CLA)₂ + 4% soy oil. Rumen volatile fatty acid -concentrations, blood fatty acid concentrations, milk yield, and milk composition were measured weekly or biweekly. Dry matter intake and milk yield were recorded daily. Dietary supplementation of soy oil or CLA had no effect on daily milk yield, milk protein concentration and production, or milk lactose concentration and production. Supplementation of unsaturated fatty acids as soy oil, CLA, or Ca(CLA)₂ increased total fatty acid concentration in plasma, decreased milk fat concentration and production, and had no effect on rumen volatile fatty acid concentrations. The weight percentage of CLA in milk was increased from 0.4 to 0.7% with supplementation of 1% CLA, to 1.2% with supplementation of soy oil, and to 1.3% with supplementation of 1% CLA plus soy oil. Supplementation with Ca(CLA)₂ or Ca(CLA)₂ + soy oil increased the CLA content of milk fat to 0.9 and 1.4%, respectively. In summary, adding 5% soy oil was as effective as supplementing CLA, Ca(CLA)₂, or a combination of 1% CLA (free acid or calcium salt) + 4% soy oil at increasing CLA concentrations in milk fat. Feeding CLA as the calcium salt resulted in greater concentrations of CLA in milk fat than did feeding CLA as the free acid. Dietary supplementation of 5% soy oil or 4% soy oil + 1% CLA as the free acid or the calcium salt increased the yield of CLA in milk.     

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.     

Changes in milk fatty acid profile and animal performance in response to fish oil supplementation, alone or in combination with sunflower oil, in dairy ewes

Ruminant diet supplementation with sunflower oil (SO) and fish oil (FO) has been reported as a good strategy for enhancing some milk fat compounds such as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in dairy cows, but no information is available regarding dairy sheep. In this work, ewe diet was supplemented with FO, alone or in combination with SO, with the aim of improving milk nutritional value and evaluating its effect on animal performance. Sixty-four Assaf ewes in mid lactation, fed a high-concentrate diet, were distributed in 8 lots of 8 animals each and assigned to 4 treatments (2 lots/treatment): no lipid supplementation (control) or supplementation with 20 g of SO/kg (SO), 10 g of FO/kg (FO), or 20 g of SO plus 10 g of FO/kg (SOFO). Milk production and composition, including a complete fatty acid profile, were analyzed on d 0, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 of treatments. Supplementation with FO tended to reduce dry matter intake compared with the control treatment (−15%), and its use in combination with SO (SOFO) resulted in a significant decrease in milk yield as well (−13%). All lipid supplements reduced milk protein content, and FO also reduced milk fat content by up to 21% alone (FO) and 27% in combination with SO (SOFO). Although the mechanisms involved in FO-induced milk fat depression are not yet well established, the observed increase in some milk trans-FA that are putative inhibitors of milk fat synthesis, such as trans-9,cis-11 CLA, and the 63% decrease in C18:0 (consistent with the theory of reduced milk fat fluidity) may be involved. When compared with the control, lipid supplementation remarkably improved the milk content of rumenic acid (cis-9,trans-11 CLA; up to 4-fold increases with SO and SOFO diets), whereas FO-containing diets also increased milk n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, mainly docosahexaenoic acid (with mean contents of 0.29 and 0.38% of total fatty acids for SOFO and FO, respectively), and reduced the n-6:n-3 FA ratio to approximately half the control value. All lipid supplements resulted in high levels of some trans-FA, mainly trans-11 C18:1 (vaccenic acid) but also trans-10 C18:1.     

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.