Influence of Supplemental Fats on Reproductive Tissues and Performance of Lactating Cows

Abstract

Fat supplementation (about 3% of dietary dry matter) has often positively influenced the reproductive status of the dairy cow, including increased size of the ovulatory follicle, increased numbers of ovarian follicles, increased plasma concentration of progesterone, reduced secretion of prostaglandin metabolite, increased lifespan of the corpus luteum, and improved fertility. Supplemental fat may allay partially negative energy status during the early postpartum period, yet often the positive reproductive influence of supplemental fat has been independent of the energy status of the cow. The fatty acid profile of supplemental fats is influential to their impact. Linoleic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid (found in fish meal) are proven inhibitors of cyclooxygenase in endometrial tissue of dairy cows. As a result, endometrial secretion of PGF alpha can be suppressed, thus potentially preventing early embryonic death. This process may be aided by the effect fat has in suppressing estradiol-17 beta secretion, thus reducing uterine PGF2 alpha secretion and decreasing the sensitivity of the corpus luteum to PGF2 alpha. Targeting of dietary fatty acids toward ovarian and uterine function may enhance efficiency of reproductive management and fertility.

Effect of Linolenic acid during in vitro maturation of ovine oocytes: embryonic developmental potential and mRNA abundances of genes involved in apoptosis

“…Although numerous studies have advanced knowledge of the influence of fat and mix of fatty acids on oocyte developmental competence [9][10][11][12][13], data on the effect of each family or each specific fatty acid are rare and the results of the existing studies are somewhat discordant. All-cis-9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid or α-linolenic acid (ALA,18:3 n-3, an essential fatty acid of the ω-3 family) is a PUFA highly abundant in some vegetable oils and sea fishes [14].…”

Effects of live weight adjusted feeding strategy on plasma indicators of energy balance in Holstein cows managed for extended lactation

“…With low concentrations of insulin, the secretion of the hormonesensitive lipase is stimulated, increasing lipolysis with the subsequent release of NEFA to the bloodstream (Melendez et al, 2009). According to Staples et al (1998), plasma insulin concentrations reflect the energy intake. In our study, insulin is not reflecting energy intake in early lactation, but LD = lower energy density; HD = high energy density; S = strategy; P = parity; DMI R 1 = DMI of the partially mixed rations (LD and HD); DMI C 2 = DMI of the concentrates at the milking robot; WIM = weeks in milk; SCC = somatic cell counts.…”

Dietary supplementation with safflower seeds differing in fatty acid composition differentially influences serum concentrations of prostaglandin F metabolite in postpartum beef cows

“…Cis-linoleic acid (18:2n-6) can be desaturated and elongated to form dihomo-γ-linolenic acid which serves as an immediate precursor for series one PG or can be desaturated further to arachidonic acid (20:4), an immediate precursor for series two PG [23]. Although not apparent in the present study, linoleic acid may also exert inhibitory effects on PG synthesis by competing with arachidonic acid for binding to cyclooxygenase [23]. Staples et al [23] suggested the amount of particular fatty acids reaching the target tissues likely influence whether PG synthesis is stimulated or inhibited.…”