Milk fatty acid characterization and genetic parameter estimates for milk conjugated linoleic acid in buffaloes

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to analyse buffalo milk fat composition, to verify the activity of Delta (9)-desaturase enzyme in the mammary gland, as well as to estimate additive genetic variances for milk, fat and protein yield, and milk cis-9,trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid percentage (cis-9,trans-11 CLA%). A total of 3929 lactation milk yields (MY) records from 2130 buffaloes and 1598 lactation fat (FY) and protein (PY) yield records from 914 buffaloes were analysed. For cis-9,trans-11 CLA% percentage, a total of 661 milk samples from 225 buffaloes, daughters of 8 sires, belonging to 4 herds and calving in 2003 and 2004, were used. The genetic parameters and variance components were estimated by Restricted Maximum Likelihood applying an animal model. The fixed effects considered in the model were: contemporary group (herd, year, calving season) and age at calving (linear and quadratic effects) and lactation length (linear and quadratic effects) as covariables. Additive genetic and permanent environment effects were considered as random. The MY, FY, PY and CLA% means were 1482 ± 355 kg, 90·1 ± 24·6 kg, 56·9 ± 15·2 kg and 0·69 ± 0·16%, respectively. Heritability estimates for MY, FY, PY and CLA% were 0·28 ± 0·05, 0·26 ± 0·11, 0·25 ± 0·11 and 0·35 ± 0·14, respectively. There is enough additive genetic variation for buffalo milk, protein and fat yield to improve these traits through selection. The cis-9,trans-11 CLA% can be enhanced by selection in buffaloes and will contribute to improving human health. The activity and efficiency of Delta(9)-desaturase in the mammary was measured and confirmed.

Factors affecting variations in the detailed fatty acid profile of Mediterranean buffalo milk determined by 2-dimensional gas chromatography

“…These factors may also influence the fatty acid composition of buffalo milk (Secchiari et al, 2004;Varricchio et al, 2007). Indeed, our results only partially agreed with previous data on water buffalo (e.g., Tonhati et al, 2011;Zotos and Bampidis, 2014). Additionally, other studies were also often performed on a lower number of animals and different rearing conditions (e.g., Menard et al, 2010).…”

“…Values for milk production in buffaloes of the present study were lower than previous literature data (e.g., Tudisco et al, 2013). Similar MF percentages were described (e.g., Tufarelli et al, 2008;Salari et al, 2013), although sometimes higher values were reported (e.g., Tonhati et al, 2011), likely reflecting the effect of different management, feeding, and environmental conditions. These factors may also influence the fatty acid composition of buffalo milk (Secchiari et al, 2004;Varricchio et al, 2007).…”

“…To our knowledge, the available studies aimed at evaluating the fatty acid profile of buffalo milk have been carried out on a relatively small number of animals (e.g., Menard et al, 2010;Zotos and Bampidis, 2014) or considered only the most representative and well-known fatty acids groups and individual fatty acids (e.g., Tonhati et al, 2011).…”

Influence of management type and stage of lactation on the performance and milk fatty acid profile of dairy camels (Camelus dromedaries)

“…This deduction was confirmed herein through the activity of the Δ 9 -desaturase enzyme in the mammary gland, which was estimated from four pairs of fatty acids that represent a product/substrate relationship for this enzyme. The current results revealed that the activity of this enzyme takes a part in fatty acid synthesis in the mammary gland of camels, despite the fact that factors affecting Δ 9 -desaturase activity are not yet well explained (Lock and Garnsworthy, 2002; Tonhati et al 2011). In fact, it is evident that the activity of oleic-desaturase and overall-Δ 9 -desaturase were the only indices decreased in stabled camels compared to grazing camels.…”

Identification of Polymorphisms in the Osteopontin Gene and Their Associations with Certain Semen Production Traits of Water Buffaloes in the Brazilian Amazon

“…Water buffaloes have genetic potential for productive traits (Aspilcueta-Borquis et al 2010a,b,c;Tonhati et al 2011) and also for reproductive ones (Galeazzi et al 2010a,b). Seno et al (2012) demonstrated that the progeny test and selection permit to obtain genetic gain.…”