Case Study

A Reduction of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Intake in a Lactating Dairy Cow Herd Increased Milk Fat Percentage

Authors

  • Jocelyn Dubuc Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, NJG 2Wl, Canada
  • Bianca Kitts Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, NlG 2Wl, Canada
  • Stephen J. LeBlanc Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, NJG 2Wl, Canada
  • Mamun Or-Rashid Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, NlG 2Wl, Canada
  • Ousama AlZahal Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, NlG 2Wl, Canada
  • Brian W. McBride Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, NlG 2Wl, Canada

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol43no2p90-96

Keywords:

bovine, dairy, milk fat depression, polyunsaturated fatty acid, cattle feeding, conjugated linoleic acid, cows, dairy cattle, dairy cows, dairy herds, diets, linoleic acid, milk, milk composition, milk fat percentage, milk production, milk quality, milk yield, polyenoic fatty acids

Abstract

A 100-cow dairy herd was investigated for chronic milk fat depression. Implementation of traditional measures to reduce the impact of altered rumen fermentation by increasing physically effective fiber intake only partially alleviated the problem. A field study was then performed to quantify the effect of reducing polyunsaturated fatty acid intake on milk fat and milk fatty acid profile. A total of 22 cows randomly selected in the herd were enrolled in the study. Dietary intake of linoleic acid was decreased from 0.609 lb (277 g) to 0.519 lb (236 g) per cow per day by modifying the ration. The effect of ration reformulation was analyzed in linear regression models using repeated measures within cows. Milk production, milk composition, and milk fatty acid profile data were considered the outcomes. Ration reformulation was associated with an increase of 0.3 percentage points of milk fat (P<0.01) and a concomitant decrease of trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid in milk (P<0.001). Results from this case study indicate a small reduction of polyunsaturated fatty acid intake may mitigate milk fat depression in dairy cows.

Cover image of Volume 43, No.2 of the Bovine Practitioner: a photo of cattle grazing on a green field at midmorning. There are two trees without leaves and a small group of the cows stand between them, looking at the photographer.

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Published

2009-06-01

How to Cite

Dubuc, J., Kitts, B., LeBlanc, S. J., Or-Rashid, M., AlZahal, O., & McBride, B. W. (2009). Case Study: A Reduction of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Intake in a Lactating Dairy Cow Herd Increased Milk Fat Percentage. The Bovine Practitioner, 43(2), 90–96. https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol43no2p90-96

Issue

Vol. 43, No. 2 (2009 Summer)

Section

Articles