Effects of calcium salts of medium-chain fatty acids on plasma metabolite and hormone concentrations in early lactating dairy cows

Abstract

To elucidate the effects of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) on milk production and plasma metabolite and hormone concentrations in early lactating dairy cows, 10 multiparous Holstein dairy cows were randomly assigned to two dietary treatment groups after parturition. One group was fed a diet supplemented with calcium salts of MCFA (MCFA-Ca) for 8 weeks after parturition, while the other group was fed the same diet without the supplement (control). MCFA-Ca, containing 60% caprylic acid and 40% capric acid, was added to a total mixed ration (TMR) at 1.5% of the dietary dry matter (DM). Cows were offered the TMR ad libitum. DM intake, daily gain in bodyweight, milk yield, milk fat content and milk protein content did not differ between the two treatment groups. The MCFA-Ca diet decreased plasma glucose and triglyceride concentrations (P < 0.05), while plasma concentrations of total and free cholesterols tended to increase (P < 0.10). Plasma ghrelin was maintained at a higher concentration (P < 0.05) in cows fed the MCFA-Ca diet than in the control group. Relative to the control diet, the MCFA-Ca diet decreased plasma insulin concentration (P < 0.05) and numerically increased plasma glucagon concentration, resulting in a lower insulin : glucagon ratio (P < 0.05). In conclusion, plasma metabolite and hormone concentrations were affected by the MCFA-Ca diet, suggesting that MCFA-Ca supplementation may change endocrine functions and nutrient metabolism in early lactating cows, ultimately resulting in an enhanced catabolic state.

Abomasally infused SFA with varying chain length differently affect milk production and composition and alter hepatic and mammary gene expression in lactating cows

“…On the one hand, van Zijderveld et al (6) reported a greater milk fat concentration in cows receiving a diet complemented with a mixture of 8 : 0 and 10 : 0 as compared with a fat supplement rich in 16 : 0, or with PUFA from an extruded linseed product. On the other hand, Fukumori et al (40) and Sugino et al (45) observed no change on FCM or milk fat concentration and yield when diets were supplemented with Ca salts of 8 : 0 and 10 : 0 as compared with unsupplemented control.…”

Medium chain triglycerides improve the growth performance, immune and antioxidant functions, and intestinal health of weaned rabbits

“…Fat is the main component of animal tissues and diets, which has very important physiological and nutritional functions. In recent years, functional fat has been studied and applied in livestock and poultry breeding (Sugino et al, 2014; Zhang et al, 2017). Medium chain triglyceride (MCT) is a salutary class of lipid, which is mainly composed of medium chain fatty acid and exists in the milk of many animals, such as rabbits, cattle, and pigs, and its antibacterial effect can be used as a substitute for antibiotics (Zentek et al, 2011).…”

“…joint action of psychological, nutritional and environmental stress, it is easy to cause weaning stress of young rabbits, which is mainly reflected in diarrhea and growth retardation of young rabbits, and severe cases can lead to death of young rabbits (Skrivanova et al, 2009).…”