Effect of sunflower-seed oil and linseed oil on tissue lipid metabolism, gene expression, and milk fatty acid secretion in Alpine goats fed maize silage–based diets

Lipid in the diet is known to enhance milk fat secretion and alter milk fatty acid composition in lactating goats. In the current experiment, the contribution of peripheral tissue and mammary gland lipid metabolism to changes in milk fat composition from plant oils was examined. Fourteen Alpine goats in midlactation were used in a 3 × 3 Latin square design with 28-d experimental periods. Treatments comprised maize silage–based diets containing no additional oil (M), sunflower-seed oil (MSO; 6.1% of diet DM), or linseed oil (MLO; 6.2% of diet DM). Compared with the control, milk yield was greater in goats fed MSO (3.37 and 3.62 kg/d, respectively), whereas MLO enhanced milk fat content (+3.9 g/kg), resulting in a 14% increase in milk fat secretion. Both MSO and MLO increased milk lactose secretion by 12 and 8%, respectively, compared with M. Relative to the control, plant oils decreased C10 to C16 secretion (32 and 24%, respectively, for MSO and MLO) and enhanced C18 output in milk (ca. 110%). Diets MSO and MLO increased cis-9 18:1 secretion in milk by 25 and 31%, respectively, compared with M. The outputs of trans-11 18:1 and cis-9, trans-11 18:2 in milk were increased 8.34- and 6.02-fold for MSO and 5.58- and 3.71-fold for MLO compared with M, and MSO increased trans-10 18:1 and trans-10, cis-12 18:2 secretion. Plant oils decreased milk fat cis-9 14:1/14:0; cis-9 16:1/16:0; cis-9 18:1/18:0; and cis-9, trans-11 18:2/trans-11 18:1 concentration ratios but had no effect on mammary stearoyl-CoA desaturase mRNA or activity. Furthermore, changes in milk fatty acid secretion were not associated with alterations in mammary acetyl-CoA carboxylase mRNA and activity, abundance of mRNA encoding for lipoprotein lipase and fatty acid synthase, or malic enzyme and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in mammary tissue. Mammary lipoprotein lipase activity was increased with MSO relative to MLO. Treatments had no effect on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme, glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity, or mRNA abundance and/or activity of lipoprotein lipase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, and stearoyl-CoA desaturase in liver or adipose tissue. In conclusion, inclusion of sunflower-seed oil and linseed oil in maize silage–based diets alters milk fatty acid secretion in goats via mechanisms independent of changes in mammary, hepatic, or adipose tissue lipogenic gene expression. Furthermore, data provided indications that the regulation of mammary lipogenic responses to plant oils on starch-rich diets differs between the caprine and bovine.     

Effects of feeding rapeseed oil, soybean oil, or linseed oil on stearoyl-CoA desaturase expression in the mammary gland of dairy cows

Stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) is an important enzyme in the bovine mammary gland, and it introduces a double bond at the Δ⁹ location of primarily myristoyl-, palmitoyl-, and stearoyl-CoA. The main objective of this study was to compare the effects of various fatty acids (FA) typically present in dairy cow rations on the expression of SCD1 and SCD5 in the mammary gland of dairy cows. Twenty-eight Holstein-Friesian cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments. The dietary treatments were a basal diet supplemented (dry matter basis) with 2.7% rapeseed oil as a source of C18:1 cis-9; 2.7% soybean oil as a source of C18:2 cis-9,12; 2.7% linseed oil as a source of C18:3 cis-9,12,15; or 2.7% of a 1:1:1 mixture of the 3 oils. The oil supplements were included in the concentrate, which was fed together with corn silage and grass silage. In addition, cows were grazing on pasture, consisting mainly of perennial ryegrass, during the day. Biopsies from the mammary gland were taken and analyzed for mRNA expression of SCD1 and SCD5 by using quantitative real-time PCR. Milk yield as well as milk protein and fat contents did not differ among the 4 dietary treatments. Dietary supplementation with rapeseed oil and linseed oil increased proportions of C18:1 cis-9 and C18:3 cis-9,12,15 in blood plasma, respectively, compared with the other treatments. Supplementation with soybean oil and linseed oil increased milk FA proportions of C18:2 cis-9,12 and C18:3 cis-9,12,15, respectively, but supplementation with rapeseed oil did not increase C18:1 cis-9 in milk. Mammary SCD1 expression was reduced by supplementation of soybean oil compared with rapeseed oil and linseed oil. In contrast, SCD5 expression did not differ among the 4 treatments. The C16 and C18 desaturation indices, representing proxies for SCD activity, were lower for the soybean oil diet compared with the diet supplemented with a mixture of the 3 oils. In conclusion, our study shows that mammary SCD1 expression is significantly downregulated in dairy cows by feeding unprotected soybean oil compared with rapeseed oil or linseed oil, and this is partially reflected by the lower desaturase indices in the milk. Furthermore, mammary SCD5 expression appears to be differently regulated than expression of SCD1.     

Supplementation of increasing amounts of linseed oil to dairy cows fed total mixed rations: effects on digestion, ruminal fermentation characteristics, protozoal populations, and milk fatty acid composition

The effect of linseed oil (LO) supplementation on nutrient digestibility, forage (i.e., timothy hay) in sacco ruminal degradation, ruminal fermentation characteristics, protozoal populations, milk production, and milk fatty acid (FA) profile in dairy cows was investigated. Four ruminally cannulated, primiparous lactating cows were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design (28-d periods). They were fed a total mixed ration (50:50 forage:concentrate (F:C) ratio [dry matter (DM) basis] without supplementation (control, CTL), or supplemented (wt/wt; DM basis) with LO at 2, 3, or 4%. Supplementation with LO had no effect on DM intake (19 kg/d) and apparent total-tract digestibility of nutrients (organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, starch, and gross energy). Ruminal pH, ammonia, and total volatile FA concentrations were not changed by LO supplementation to diets. Extent of changes in volatile FA pattern and effective ruminal degradability of DM of timothy hay were minor. Neither the total numbers nor the genera distribution of protozoa was changed by the addition of increasing amounts of LO to the diet. Milk yield increased linearly (26.1, 27.3, 27.4, and 28.4 kg/d for CTL to LO4, respectively) as the amount of LO added to the diet increased. Milk fat content was not affected by LO supplementation, whereas milk protein content decreased linearly with increasing amounts of LO in the diet. Milk fat proportions of several intermediates of ruminal biohydrogenation of polyunsaturated FA (i.e., trans-10 18:1, trans-11 18:1, cis-9,trans-11 18:2, trans-11,cis-15 18:2, and cis-9,trans-11,cis-15 18:3) increased linearly with LO addition to the diet. The proportion of cis-9,cis-12 18:2 decreased linearly (2.06, 1.99, 1.91, and 1.83% for CTL to LO4, respectively) as the amount of LO in the diet increased. Milk fat content of cis-9,cis-12,cis-15 18:3 increased as the level of LO in the diet increased up to 3% but no further increase was observed when 4% of LO was fed (0.33, 0.79, 0.86, and 0.86% for CTL to LO4, respectively). A similar quadratic response to LO supplementation was also observed for cis-5,cis-8,cis-11,cis-14,cis-17 20:5 and cis-5,cis-7,cis-10,cis-13,cis-16 22:5. The results of the present study show that LO can be safely supplemented up to 4% in forage-based diets of dairy cows to enrich milk with potential health beneficial FA (i.e., n-3 FA) without causing any detrimental effects on rumen function, digestion, and milk production.     

Effect of feeding oilseed supplements to dairy cows on ruminal and milk fatty acid composition

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of oilseed‐based supplements, rapeseed and linseed, against a barley‐based control, on the fatty acid composition, and subsequent solid fat ratio, of the milk fat from dairy cows. In addition, as a means of understanding the digestive processes which influence the milk fat composition, ruminal extracts were collected from the cows and analysed for fatty acid composition. Four lactating dairy cows each fitted with a rumen fistula were provided with silage and one of four concentrate diets. The main constituent of the concentrate supplements was either rapeseed (ground or unground), linseed (unground) or a barley control. The diets were offered in accordance with a 4 × 4 Latin square arrangement. The oilseed‐supplemented concentrates provided the cows with 620–640 g fatty acids day^?1. Experimental treatments were provided to the cows for 2 weeks, after which ruminal extracts were collected over a 24 h period and a milk sample was taken. All extracts were analysed for fatty acid composition. The diets fed influenced the long‐chain fatty acid composition of the ruminal extracts and milk fat. The proportion of C18:1n‐9 in the ruminal extracts increased from 202–224 to 282–321 g kg^?1 of the total fatty acids when the cows were provided with the rapeseed‐based diets. The linseed‐based diet increased the C18:1n‐9 proportion of the ruminal extracts from 164 to 218 g kg^?1 of the total fatty acids. Both rapeseed‐based diets also resulted in a higher proportion of C18:0 in the ruminal extract, possibly owing to biohydrogenation of the dietary fatty acids. This proportion of C18:0 in the ruminal extract was lowest immediately after feeding, increasing to a maximum 4–6 h later. Both rapeseed‐based concentrates increased the proportion of C18:1n‐9 in the milk fat to approximately 300 g kg^?1 of the total fatty acids as compared with 214 g kg^?1 for the control. The proportion of C18:1n‐9 in the milk fat from the cows offered the linseed‐based concentrate was 246 g kg^?1 of the total fatty acids. There were also significant decreases in the proportions of C16:0 in the milk fat from the cows offered all oilseed‐based concentrates. There was no difference between the fatty acid compositions of the milk fats from the cows fed the ground or unground rapeseed‐based supplements. The oilseed‐based supplements also resulted in significant decreases in the solid fat content of the milk fat at temperatures ranging from 0 to 35 °C, which would be indicative of a softer, more spreadable butter. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Feeding fish meal and extruded soybeans enhances the conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content of milk

Twelve multiparous Holstein cows averaging 65 (33 to 122) DIM were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square for 4-wk periods to determine whether feeding fish oil as fish meal would stimulate increased amounts of milk conjugated linoleic acid (cis-9, trans-11 C18:2; CLA) and transvaccenic acid (trans-11 C18:1; TVA) when the cows were fed extruded soybeans to supply additional linoleic acid. Treatment diets were 1) control; 2) 0.5% fish oil from fish meal; 3) 2.5% soybean oil from extruded soybeans; and 4) 0.5% fish oil from fish meal and 2% soybean oil from extruded soybeans. Diets were formulated to contain 18% crude protein and were composed (dry basis) of 50% concentrate mix, 25% corn silage, and 25% alfalfa hay. Intake of DM was not affected by diet. Milk production was increased by diets 2, 3, and 4 compared with diet 1 (control). Milk fat and milk protein percentages decreased with diets 3 and 4. Milk fat yield was not affected by treatments, but yield of milk protein was increased with supplemental fish meal and extruded soybeans or their blend. When diets 2, 3, or 4 were fed, concentrations of cis-9, trans-11 CLA in milk fat increased by 0.4-, 1.4-, and 3.2-fold, and TVA concentrations in milk fat increased by 0.4-, 1.8-, and 3.5-fold compared with the control milk fat. Increases in TVA and cis-9, trans-11 CLA were 91 to 109% greater when a blend of fish meal and extruded soybeans was fed than the additive effect of fish meal and extruded soybeans. This suggested that fish oil increased the production of CLA and TVA from other dietary sources of linoleic acid such as extruded soybeans.     

Effects of extruded linseed supplementation on n-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid in milk and cheese from ewes

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of dietary supplementation of extruded linseed on animal performance and fatty acid (FA) profile of ewe milk for the production of n-3 FA- and conjugated linoleic acid-enriched cheeses. A Manchega ewe flock (300 animals) receiving a 60:40 forage:concentrate diet was divided into 3 groups supplemented with 0, 6, and 12 g of extruded linseed/100 g of dry matter for the control, low, and high extruded linseed diets, respectively. Bulk and individual milk samples from 5 dairy ewes per group were monitored at 7, 14, 28, 45, and 60 d following supplementation. Manchego cheeses were made with bulk milk from the 3 treatment groups. Milk yield increased in dairy ewes receiving extruded linseed. Milk protein, fat, and total solids contents were not affected by linseed supplementation. Milk contents of α-linolenic acid increased from 0.36 with the control diet to 1.91% total FA with the high extruded linseed diet. Similarly, cis-9 trans-11 C18:2 rose from 0.73 to 2.33% and its precursor in the mammary gland, trans-11 C18:1, increased from 1.55 to 5.76% of total FA. This pattern occurred with no significant modification of the levels of trans-10 C18:1 and trans-10 cis-12 C18:2 FA. Furthermore, the high extruded linseed diet reduced C12:0 (−30%), C14:0 (−15%) and C16:0 (−28%), thus significantly diminishing the atherogenicity index of milk. The response to linseed supplementation was persistently maintained during the entire study. Acceptability attributes of n-3-enriched versus control cheeses ripened for 3 mo were not affected. Therefore, extruded linseed supplementation seems a plausible strategy to improve animal performance and nutritional quality of dairy lipids in milk and cheese from ewes.     

trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid decreases lipogenic rates and expression of genes involved in milk lipid synthesis in dairy cows

Feeding conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduces milk fat synthesis in lactating dairy cows, and the effect has been shown to be specific for the trans-10, cis-12 CLA isomer. Our objectives were to examine potential mechanisms by which trans-10, cis-12 CLA inhibits milk fat synthesis. Multiparous Holstein cows (n = 4) in late lactation were used in a balanced 2 x 2 crossover design. Treatments consisted of a 5 d abomasal infusion of either skim milk (control) or purified trans-10, cis-12 CLA (13.6 g/d) emulsified in skim milk. On d 5 of infusion, mammary gland biopsies were performed and a portion of the tissue analyzed for mRNA expression of acetyl CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthetase, delta 9-desaturase, lipoprotein lipase, fatty acid binding protein, glycerol phosphate acyltransferase and acylglycerol phosphate acyltransferase. Lipogenic capacity was evaluated with another portion of the tissue. Infusion of trans-10, cis-12 CLA decreased milk fat content and yield 42 and 48%, respectively and increased the trans-10, cis-12 CLA content in milk fat from < 0.1 to 4.9 mg/g. Reductions in milk fat content of C4 to C16 fatty acids contributed 63% to the total decrease in milk fat yield (molar basis). Analysis of the ratios of specific fatty acid pairs indicated trans-10, cis-12 CLA also shifted fatty acid composition in a manner consistent with a reduction in delta 9-desaturase. Mammary explant incubations with radiolabeled acetate established that lipogenic capacity was decreased 82% and acetate oxidation to CO2 was reduced 61% when cows received trans-10, cis-12 CLA. Infusing trans-10, cis-12 CLA also decreased the mRNA expression of all measured enzymes by 39 to 54%. Overall, data demonstrated the mechanism by which trans-10, cis-12 CLA inhibits milk fat synthesis includes decreasing expression of genes that encode for enzyme involved in circulating fatty acid uptake and transport, de novo fatty acid synthesis, desaturation of fatty acids and triglyceride synthesis.     

Effects of feeding different linseed sources on omasal fatty acid flows and fatty acid profiles of plasma and milk fat in lactating dairy cows

The aim of this experiment was to study the effects of feeding different linseed sources on omasal fatty acid (FA) flows, and plasma and milk FA profiles in dairy cows. Four ruminally cannulated lactating Holstein-Friesian cows were assigned to 4 dietary treatments in a 4×4 Latin square design. Dietary treatments consisted of supplementing crushed linseed (CL), extruded whole linseed (EL), formaldehyde-treated linseed oil (FL) and linseed oil in combination with marine algae rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DL). Each period in the Latin square design lasted 21 d, with the first 16 d for adaptation. Omasal flow was estimated by the omasal sampling technique using Cr-EDTA, Yb-acetate, and acid detergent lignin as digesta flow markers. The average DM intake was 20.6 ± 2.5 kg/d, C18:3n-3 intake was 341 ± 51 g/d, and milk yield was 32.0 ± 4.6 kg/d. Milk fat yield was lower for the DL treatment (0.96 kg/d) compared with the other linseed treatments (CL, 1.36 kg/d; EL, 1.49 kg/d; FL, 1.54 kg/d). Omasal flow of C18:3n-3 was higher and C18:3n-3 biohydrogenation was lower for the EL treatment (33.8 g/d; 90.9%) compared with the CL (21.8 g/d; 94.0%), FL (15.5 g/d; 95.4%), and DL (4.6 g/d; 98.5%) treatments, whereas whole-tract digestibility of crude fat was lower for the EL treatment (64.8%) compared with the CL (71.3%), FL (78.5%), and DL (80.4%) treatments. The proportion of C18:3n-3 (g/100 g of FA) was higher for the FL treatment compared with the other treatments in plasma triacylglycerols (FL, 3.60; CL, 1.22; EL, 1.35; DL, 1.12) and milk fat (FL, 3.19; CL, 0.87; EL, 0.83; DL, 0.46). Omasal flow and proportion of C18:0 in plasma and milk fat were lower, whereas omasal flow and proportions of biohydrogenation intermediates in plasma and milk fat were higher for the DL treatment compared with the other linseed treatments. The results demonstrate that feeding EL did not result in a higher C18:3n-3 proportion in plasma and milk fat despite the higher omasal C18:3n-3 flow. This was related to the decreased total-tract digestibility of crude fat. Feeding FL resulted in a higher C18:3n-3 proportion in plasma and milk fat, although the omasal C18:3n-3 flow was similar or lower than for the CL and EL treatment, respectively. Feeding DL inhibited biohydrogenation of trans-11,cis-15-C18:2 to C18:0, as indicated by the increased omasal flows and proportions of biohydrogenation intermediates in plasma and milk fat.     

Relationship among trans and conjugated fatty acids and bovine milk fat yield due to dietary concentrate and linseed oil

Effects on fatty acid profiles and milk fat yield due to dietary concentrate and supplemental 18:3n-3 were evaluated in 4 lactating Holstein cows fed a low- (35:65 concentrate:forage; L) or high- (65:35; H) concentrate diet without (LC, HC) added oil or with linseed oil (LCO, HCO) at 3% of DM. A 4 x 4 Latin square with four 4-wk periods was used. Milk yield and dry matter intake averaged 26.7 and 20.2 kg/d, respectively, across treatments. Plasma acetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate decreased, whereas glucose, nonesterified fatty acids, and leptin increased with high-concentrate diets. Milk fat percentage was lower in cows fed high-concentrate diets (2.31 vs. 3.38), resulting in decreases in yield of 11 (HC) and 42% (HCO). Reduced yields of 8:0-16:0 and cis9-18:1 fatty acids accounted for 69 and 17%, respectively, of the decrease in milk fat yield with HC vs. LC (-90 g/d), and for 26 and 33%, respectively, of the decrease with HCO vs. LCO (-400 g/d). Total trans-18:1 yield increased by 25 (HCO) and 59 (LCO) g/d with oil addition. Trans10-18:1 yield was 5-fold greater with high-concentrate diets. Trans11-18:1 increased by 13 (HCO) and 19 (LCO) g/d with oil addition. Trans13+14-18:1 yield increased by 9 (HCO) and 18 (LCO) g/d with linseed oil. Yield of total conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) in milk averaged 6 g/d with LC or HC compared with 14 g/d with LCO or HCO. Cis9,trans11-CLA yield was not affected by concentrate level but increased by 147% in response to oil. Feeding oil increased yields of trans11,cis13-, trans11,trans13-, and trans,trans-CLA, primarily with LCO. Trans10,cis12-CLA yield (average of 0.08 g/d) was not affected by treatments. Yield of trans11,cis15-18:2 was 1 g/d in cows fed LC or HC and 10 g/d with LCO or HCO. Yields of cis9,trans11-18:2, cis9,trans12-18:2, and cis9,trans13-18:2 were positively correlated (r = 0.74 to 0.94) with yields of trans11-18:1, trans12-18:1, and trans13+14-18:1, respectively. Plasma concentrations of biohydrogenation intermediates with concentrate or linseed oil level followed similar changes as those in milk fat. Milk fat depression was observed when HC induced an increase in trans10-18:1 yield. A correlation of 0.84 across 31 comparisons from 13 published studies, including the present one, was found among the increase in percentage of trans10-18:1 in milk fat and decreased milk fat yield. We observed, however, more drastic milk fat depression when HCO increased yields of total trans-18:1, trans11,cis15-18:2, trans isomers of 18:3, and reduced yields of 18:0 plus cis9-18:1.     

Lipoprotein lipase of goat mammary tissue: comparison of extraction methods

Mammary lipoprotein lipase of lactating goats was extracted by 3 methods: homogenization of tissue acetone-ether powders; aqueous homogenization of crude tissue using an Ultra-Turrax apparatus; aqueous homogenization of crude tissue using a Sorvall Omni-mixer microhomogenizer. Although there were differences between absolute values obtained by the 3 methods, each type of homogenate had a lipolytic activity with lipoprotein lipase characteristics (i.e. more than 90% inhibition by serum omission or NaCl addition). Furthermore, the 3 methods were highly correlated and presented similar variations with the stage of lactation, in parallel with long-chain fatty acid secretion into milk. Repeatability of the measure of homogenate lipolytic activities was about 8%, whereas day-to-day repeatability of enzyme extraction and assay was about 20% for each method.     

Supplementation with extruded linseed cake affects concentrations of conjugated linoleic acid and vaccenic acid in goat milk

The aim of this research was to determine the effect of adding extruded linseed cake to the dry diet of goats on the concentrations of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and vaccenic acid (VA) in milk fat. Thirty crossbreed dairy goats were divided into 3 groups. Their diet was supplemented with 0% (control group), 5% (low group), or 10% (high group) of extruded linseed cake (ELC), which supplied 0, 16, and 32 g/d of linseed fat, respectively. The milk fat percentage (overall mean 3.5%) and yield did not differ with the different diets, but fatty acid composition was affected by the ELC supplements. The inclusion of ELC in the diets did not influence the concentration of fatty acids from C6:0 to C12:0. The concentrations of C14:0 and C16:0 decreased as the quantity of ELC supplements increased. The concentrations (mg/100 mg of total fatty acid methyl esters) of VA (0.70, 1.23, and 1.39 in control, low, and high groups respectively) and cis-9,trans-11 CLA (0.63, 0.96, and 1.05 in control, low, and high groups, respectively) were increased by ELC supplements. The milk fat content of VA and cis- 9,trans-11 CLA were closely correlated (R² = 0.82). Desaturation of VA in the mammary gland to produce cis-9,trans-11 CLA was higher in the control group than in the groups with ELC diets. Extruded linseed cake supplementation to lactating goats may enhance the nutritional profile of milk lipids.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

An unprotected conjugated linoleic acid supplement decreases milk production and secretion of milk components in grazing dairy ewes

Feeding conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in a rumen-inert form to dairy ewes has been shown to increase milk production, alter milk composition, and increase the milk fat CLA content. However, few studies have tested ruminally unprotected CLA sources. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of an unprotected CLA supplement (29.8% of cis-9,trans-11 and 29.9% of trans-10,cis-12 isomers as methyl esters) on milk yield and composition of dairy ewes. Twenty-four lactating Lacaune ewes were used in a crossover design and received 2 dietary treatments: (1) control: basal diet containing no supplemental lipid and (2) basal diet plus CLA (30 g/d). The CLA supplement was mixed into the concentrate and fed in 2 equal meals after morning and afternoon milkings. Each experimental period consisted of 21 d: 7 d for adaptation and 14 d for data collection. The CLA supplement decreased milk fat content and yield by 31.3 and 38.0%, respectively. Milk yield and secretion of milk lactose and protein were decreased by 8.0, 9.8, and 5.6%, respectively. On the other hand, milk protein content and linear SCC score were 1.8 and 17.7% higher in ewes fed the CLA supplement. The concentration of milk fatty acids originating from de novo synthesis (C16) was increased by 22.6% in ewes fed the CLA supplement. The CLA supplement decreased C14:1/C14:0, C16:1/C16:0, and C18:1/C18:0 desaturase indexes by 25, 18.7, and 0.1%, respectively, but increased the cis-9,trans-11 CLA/trans-11 C18:1 ratio by 8.6%. The concentrations of trans-10,cis-12 CLA and cis-9,trans-11 CLA in milk fat was 309 and 33.4% higher in ewes fed CLA. Pronounced milk fat depression coupled with the deleterious effects on milk yield, milk SCC, and secretion of all milk solids observed in ewes fed an unprotected CLA supplement is likely to be associated with high doses of trans-10,cis-12 CLA reaching the mammary gland, corroborating previous results obtained with dairy cows.     

Fatty acid profiles of milk and rumen digesta from cows fed fish oil,extruded soybeans or their blend

Four fistulated primiparous cows (two Holstein and two Brown Swiss) averaging 102 DIM were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square with 3-wk periods to determine the effect of feeding fish oil, extruded soybeans, or their combination on fatty acid profiles of milk and rumen digesta. Experimental diets consisted of: 1) control diet; 2) a diet with 2% (DM basis) added fat from menhaden fish oil; 3) a diet with 2% added fat from extruded soybeans; and 4) a diet with 1% added fat from fish oil and 1% fat from extruded soybeans. All diets consisted of 25% corn silage, 25% alfalfa hay, and 50% concentrate. Milk yields (28.6, 29.7, 29.2, and 28.1 kg/d for control, fish oil, extruded soybeans, and combination diets, respectively) were similar for all fat supplements and control. Milk fat and protein percentages (3.49, 3.08; 3.25, 2.96; 3.47, 3.01; 3.48, 2.99 for diets 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively) were not affected by fat supplements compared with control. Dry matter intake (23.0, 21.6, 22.7, and 21.6 kg/d) was reduced when diets containing fish oil were fed. Concentrations of conjugated linoleic acid [CLA; cis-9, trans-11 CLA, 0.40, 0.88, 0.87, and 0.80 g/100 g fatty acids (FA)] and transvaccenic acid (TVA, 1.02, 2.34, 2.41, and 2.06 g/100 g of FA) were increased in milk fat by all fat supplements, with no differences in milk CLA and TVA observed among fat supplements. As with milk fat, proportions of ruminal CLA (0.09, 0.26, 0.18, and 0.21 g/100 g of FA) and TVA (2.61, 4.56, 4.61, and 4.39 g/100 g of FA) increased with fat supplements. The effects of fat supplements on ruminal TVA and CLA concentrations were also reflected in rumen FA-salts, free fatty acids, and neutral lipids. The higher TVA to CLA ratio in the rumen compared with milk indicated that fat supplements increased milk CLA concentration mainly by increasing ruminal production of TVA, which also implied the significant role that mammary delta-9 desaturase plays in milk CLA concentrations.     

Milk fatty acid composition and mammary lipid metabolism in Holstein cows fed protected or unprotected canola seeds.

Six midlactation Holstein cows were fed a total mixed ration supplemented with either 4.8% canola meal, 3.3% unprotected canola seeds plus 1.5% canola meal, or 4.8% formaldehyde-protected canola seeds, according to a double 3 x 3 Latin square design. Each period lasted 3 wk; experimental analyses were restricted to the last week of each period. Mammary biopsies were taken the last day of each period for gene expression measurements. Milk production and milk protein percentage were reduced by canola seeds, whether protected or unprotected. Protected canola seeds also decreased dry matter intake. Feeding canola seeds reduced the content of C8 to C16 fatty acids in milk and increased the content of oleic acid (C18:1c9). Unprotected canola seeds elevated the concentrations of C18:0. Protected canola seeds increased the C18:2 and C18:3 content, and reduced the C18d:0/C18:1c9 ratio. Similar results were obtained for plasma fatty acids, with some specific features, such as an increased C16:0/C16:1 ratio with protected canola seeds. Canola seeds had no significant effects on insulin, triglycerides, or cholesterol present in serum, but increased the concentration of nonesterified fatty acids; a greater increase was obtained with protected canola seeds. Expression levels of acetyl-CoA carboxylase and delta 9-stearoyl-CoA desaturase genes measured in the mammary gland did not differ significantly between diets. Therefore, the reduced C18s:0/C18:1c9 ratio observed in milk with protected canola seeds was not due to an enhanced expression of the delta-9 desaturase in the mammary gland.     

Use of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) enrichments to examine the effects of trans-8, cis-10 CLA, and cis-11, trans-13 CLA on milk-fat synthesis

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplements have typically been comprised of 4 isomers (trans-8, cis-10; cis-9, trans-11; trans-10, cis-12; and cis-11, trans-13 CLA). Abomasal infusion of pure isomers has shown that trans-10, cis-12 CLA is a potent inhibitor of milk-fat synthesis, whereas cis-9, trans-11 CLA has no effect. However, there appear to be additional fatty acids that inhibit milk-fat synthesis, and the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of additional CLA isomers present in CLA supplements. Four rumen fistulated Holstein cows (141+/-8 DIM, mean+/-SE) were randomly assigned in a 4 x 4 Latin square experiment. Treatments were abomasal infusion of (1) skim milk (negative control), (2) trans-10, cis-12 CLA supplement (positive control), (3) trans-8, cis-10 CLA supplement, and (4) cis-11, trans-13 CLA supplement. Treatments 2 through 4 were targeted to provide 4 g/d of the CLA isomer of interest. The trans-8, cis-10 CLA supplement had no effect on milk-fat yield, whereas the trans-10, cis-12 CLA supplement reduced milk-fat yield by 35%. The cis-11, trans-13 CLA supplement contained some trans-10, cis-12 CLA, and when data were compared to the positive control treatment group, it was obvious that cis-11, trans-13 CLA also had no effect on milk-fat synthesis. Milk-fat content of specific CLA isomers was significantly elevated within respective treatment groups. Milk yield, DMI, and milk protein yield were unaffected by treatment. Overall, trans-10, cis-12 CLA reduced milk-fat synthesis, whereas the other major isomers present in CLA supplements (trans-8, cis-10 CLA and cis-11, trans-13 CLA) had no effect.     

Effect of linseed feeding at similar linoleic acid levels on the fatty acid composition of double-muscled Belgian Blue young bulls

The effect of including linseed [extruded (EL) or crushed (CL)] instead of whole soybeans (S) in the finishing diet of double-muscled Belgian Blue young bulls on the fatty acid composition of the longissimus thoracis, triceps brachii and subcutaneous fat was investigated. The dietary supply of C18:2n-6 was similar in the three diets, while in the EL and CL diet the supply of C18:3n-3 was equal. No effects of diet on the saturated, monounsaturated and branched chain fatty acids were found. Including linseed in place of whole soybeans increased the total intramuscular n-3 fatty acid content significantly, mainly as C18:3n-3, while no significant effect on the total and individual n-6 fatty acid incorporation was observed in the intramuscular fat. As a consequence of the higher n-3 content, the n-6/n-3 ratio was decreased by linseed feeding. In contrast with the intramuscular fat, the subcutaneous fat showed a significantly increased C18:3n-3 proportion accompanied by a significantly decreased C18:2n-6 proportion when linseed was fed. Diet did not influence the c9t11CLA content in the intramuscular or the subcutaneous fat.     

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.