Metabolic changes and net portal flux in dairy cows fed a ration containing rumen-protected fat as compared to a control diet

Feeding rumen-protected fat (RPF) is an alternative to increase energy density of the diet and therefore energy intake in dairy cows. To investigate metabolic and endocrine changes in dairy cows fed either a diet containing RPF (FD) or a control diet with an increased amount of cornstarch (SD), 3 Holstein cows (83 ± 1 d in milk) were fitted with catheters in the portal vein, a mesenteric artery, and 2 mesenteric veins. Cows were fed consecutively SD and FD for 3 wk, respectively. In FD, cornstarch 92 g/kg of dry matter (DM)] was replaced by 50 g of RPF/kg of DM (mainly C16:0 and C18:1). Tracer infusions of NaH¹³CO₃ and d-U-¹³C₆]glucose were performed into a jugular vein to measure rate of appearance and oxidation of glucose. Arterial and portal blood samples were collected to measure concentrations of glucose, lactate, volatile fatty acids, nonesterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, triglycerides, AA, insulin, and glucagon. Concomitantly, para-aminohippurate was infused into a mesenteric vein for measurement of portal plasma flow. Although DM intake was slightly lower in FD, protein and energy intakes were unaffected by diets. Milk and lactose yields were higher in FD than SD. Arterial plasma glucose concentration was lower with FD than SD, whereas nonesterified fatty acid and triglyceride concentrations were higher in FD. Glucagon concentration and glucagon-to-insulin ratio were both augmented by FD feeding. When feeding FD, greater milk and lactose yields, but not energy-corrected milk, were associated with elevated lipid status and higher glucagon concentrations but occurred despite lower plasma glucose concentration and were not linked with changes in whole body glucose rate of appearance. This study suggests a glucose-sparing effect allowing an enhanced lactose synthesis when feeding RPF.