Content and Composition of Branched-Chain Fatty Acids in Bovine Milk Are Affected by Lactation Stage and Breed of Dairy Cow

Abstract

Dairy products contain bioactive fatty acids (FA) and are a unique dietary source of an emerging class of bioactive FA, branched-chain fatty acids (BCFA). The objective of this study was to compare the content and profile of bioactive FA in milk, with emphasis on BCFA, among Holstein (HO), Jersey (JE), and first generation HO x JE crossbreeds (CB) across a lactation to better understand the impact of these factors on FA of interest to human health. Twenty-two primiparous cows (n = 7 HO, n = 7 CB, n = 8 JE) were followed across a lactation. All cows were fed a consistent total mixed ration (TMR) at a 70:30 forage to concentrate ratio. Time points were defined as 5 days in milk (DIM), 95 DIM, 185 DIM, and 275 DIM. HO and CB had a higher content of n-3 FA at 5 DIM than JE and a lower n-6:n-3 ratio. Time point had an effect on the n-6:n-3 ratio, with the lowest value observed at 5 DIM and the highest at 185 DIM. The content of vaccenic acid was highest at 5 DIM, yet rumenic acid was unaffected by time point or breed. Total odd and BCFA (OBCFA) were higher in JE than HO and CB at 185 and 275 DIM. Breed affected the content of individual BCFA. The content of iso-14:0 and iso-16:0 in milk was higher in JE than HO and CB from 95 to 275 DIM. Total OBCFA were affected by time point, with the highest content in milk at 275 DIM. In conclusion, HO and CB exhibited a higher content of several bioactive FA in milk than JE. Across a lactation the greatest content of bioactive FA in milk occurred at 5 DIM and OBCFA were highest at 275 DIM.

Remarkable genetic diversity detected at river buffalo prolactin receptor (PRLR) gene and association studies with milk fatty acid composition

“…However, the interest in OBCFAs arises from their anticarcinogenic effects on cancer cells, comparable to that of conjugated linoleic acid (Bainbridge et al . ). OBCFAs are typically of exogenous origin, deriving from forages or supplements given to the animal or from metabolism of bacteria living in the rumen.…”

The single nucleotide polymorphism g.133A>C in the stearoyl CoA desaturase gene (SCD) promoter affects gene expression and quali-quantitative properties of river buffalo milk

“…This class of FA in milk fat are mostly derived from rumen bacteria, although linear odd-chain FA might be synthesized de novo in the mammary gland (Vlaeminck et al, 2006). In ruminants, OBCFA are mainly used as biomarkers of rumen functionality (Craninx et al, 2008;Stefanov et al, 2010), whereas in human, OBCFA show anticarcinogenic effects (Wongtangtintharn et al, 2004) and are therefore considered an emerging class of bioactive FA, comparable to that of CLA (Bainbridge et al, 2016).…”

Relations of Ruminal Fermentation Parameters and Microbial Matters to Odd- and Branched-Chain Fatty Acids in Rumen Fluid of Dairy Cows at Different Milk Stages

“…The equations were determined by least squares estimation (p ≤ 0.05). The regression equations were evaluated based on the root mean square error (RMSE) and coefficient of multiple determinations (R 2 ) of the regression model:…”

“…There is growing awareness that milk fat content can respond to physiological and metabolic health situations [1,2]. The milk fatty acid profile is a dynamic pattern influenced by many factors, such as lactational stage, season, and dietary composition [3][4][5].…”