Effects of flaxseed, raw soybeans and calcium salts of fatty acids on apparent total tract digestibility, energy balance and milk fatty acid profile of transition cows

Abstract

Oilseeds offer some protection to the access of ruminal microorganisms and may be an alternative to calcium salts of fatty acids (FA), which are not fully inert in the ruminal environment. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different sources of FA supplementation on apparent total tract nutrient digestibility, milk yield and composition, and energy balance (EB) of cows during the transition period and early lactation. We compared diets rich in C18:2 and C18:3 FA. Multiparous Holstein cows were randomly assigned to receive one of the four diets: control (n = 11); whole flaxseed (WF, n = 10), 60 and 80 g/kg (diet dry matter (DM) basis) of WF during the prepartum and postpartum periods, respectively; whole raw soybeans (WS, n = 10), 120 and 160 g/kg (diet DM basis) of WS during the prepartum and postpartum periods, respectively; and calcium salts of unsaturated fatty acids (CSFA, n = 11), 24 and 32 g/kg (diet DM basis) of CSFA during the prepartum and postpartum periods, respectively. Dry cows fed WF had higher DM and net energy of lactation (NE L ) intake than those fed WS or CSFA. The FA supplementation did not alter DM and NDF apparent total tract digestibility, dry cows fed WF exhibited greater NDF total tract digestion than cows fed WS or CSFA. Feeding WS instead of CSFA did not alter NE L intake and total tract digestion of nutrients, but increased milk fat yield and concentration. Calculated efficiency of milk yield was not altered by diets. FA supplementation increased EB during the postpartum period. Experimental diets increased long-chain FA (saturated and unsaturated FA) in milk. In addition, cows fed WS and CSFA had higher C18:1 trans-11 FA and C18:2 cis, and lower C18:3 FA in milk than those fed WF. Furthermore, cows fed CSFA had higher C18:1 trans-11 and cis-9, trans-11 FA than cows fed WS. Although supplemental C18:2 and C18:3 FA did not influence the milk yield of cows, they positively affected EB and increased unsaturated long-chain FA in milk fat.

Dietary Manipulation to Increase the Concentration of N-3 Fatty Acids in Milk Fat

“…The proportion of α-linoleic acid doubled during the experiment on both farms. Our results are in accordance with those of Gandra et al (2016).…”

Whole flaxseed, raw soybeans, and calcium salts of fatty acids supplementation for transition cows: follicle development and embryo quality

“…It is important to highlight that despite the fact of diets varied in a number of components, the differences in blood cholesterol and milk FA profile as well (Gandra et al 2016b), suggest that the results of the current study are likely related to differences of the dietary omega-3 and omega-6 FA content in treatments.…”

“…It is pertinent to point out that cows fed supplemental omega-3 and omega-6 FA showed higher energy balance (EB) than those fed CON during the post-partum (À1.7 vs. À5.2 Mcal/d; Gandra et al 2016b), in which this effect was attributed to the differences in energy content of diets. The authors have shown that NEB during early lactation diminish gene transcription of IGF-I (Fenwick et al 2008), thus it is expected that cows fed diets with higher energy density should exhibit better ovarian function.…”

Different durations of whole raw soybean supplementation during the prepartum period: Measures of cellular immune function in transition cows

“…Whole raw soybean supplementation during the dry period and transition period increases abomasal flow of linoleic acid (Bettero et al, 2017) and linoleic acid content in milk of cows (Gandra et al, 2016b), suggesting that WS supplementation augments linoleic acid absorption in the gut of cows. Zachut et al (2010) supplemented extruded flaxseed (rich in n-3 FA), an oilseed such as WS, to transition cows and found an increase in blood n-3 FA content.…”