Modulation of colostrum composition and fatty acid status in neonatal calves by maternal supplementation with essential fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid starting in late lactation

Abstract

Sufficient maternal supply of essential fatty acids (EFA) to neonatal calves is critical for calf development. In the modern dairy cow, EFA supply has shifted from α-linolenic acid (ALA) to linoleic acid (LA) due to the replacement of pasture feeding by corn silagebased diets. As a consequence of reduced pasture feeding, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) provision by rumen biohydrogenation was also reduced. The present study investigated the fatty acid (FA) status and performance of neonatal calves descended from dams receiving corn silage-based diets and random supplementation of either 76 g/d coconut oil (CTRL; n = 9), 78 g/d linseed oil and 4 g/d safflower oil (EFA; n-6/n-3 FA ratio = 1:3; n = 9), 38 g/d Lutalin (BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany) providing 27% cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 CLA, respectively (CLA; n = 9), or a combination of EFA and CLA (EFA+CLA; n = 11) in the last 9 wk before parturition and following lactation. The experimental period comprised the first 5 d of life, during which calves received colostrum and transition milk from their own dam. The nutrient compositions of colostrum and transition milk were analyzed. Plasma samples were taken after birth and before first colostrum intake and on d 5 of life for FA analyses of the total plasma fat and lipid fractions. Maternal EFA and CLA supplementation partly affected colostrum and transition milk composition but did not change the body weights of calves. Most EFA in calves were found in the phospholipid (PL) and cholesterol ester (CE) fractions of the plasma fat. Maternal EFA supplementation increased the percentage of ALA in all lipid fractions of EFA and EFA+CLA compared with CTRL and CLA calves on d 1 and 5, and the increase was much greater on d 5 than on d 1. The LA concentration increased from d 1 to 5 in the plasma fat and lipid fractions of all groups. The concentrations of docosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and arachidonic acid in plasma fat were higher on d 1 than on d 5, and the percentage of n-3 metabolites was mainly increased in PL if dams received EFA. The percentage of cis-9,trans-11 CLA was higher in the plasma fat of EFA+CLA than CTRL calves after birth. By d 5, the percentages of both CLA isomers increased, leading to higher proportions in plasma fat of CLA and EFA+CLA than in CTRL and EFA calves. Elevated cis-9,trans-11 CLA enrichment was observed on d 5 in PL, CE, and triglycerides of CLA-treated calves, whereas trans-10,cis-12 CLA could not be detected in individual plasma fractions. These results suggest that an altered maternal EFA and CLA supply can reach the calf via the placenta and particularly via the intake of colostrum and transition milk, whereas the n-3 and n-6 FA metabolites partly indicated a greater transfer via the placenta. Furthermore, the nutrient supply via colostrum and transition milk might be partly modulated by an altered maternal EFA and CLA supply but without consequences on calf performance during the first 5 d of life.

Effects of a Maternal Essential Fatty Acid and Conjugated Linoleic Acid Supplementation during Late Pregnancy and Early Lactation on Hematologic and Immunological Traits and the Oxidative and Anti-Oxidative Status in Blood Plasma of Neonatal Calves

“…During gestation and via the intake of colostrum and milk, the maternal supply of essential fatty acids (EFA) can be transferred to the calf [ 13 , 25 ]. The first results of the present study showed increased n-3 fatty acid and CLA concentrations, as well as a decreased n-6: n-3 fatty acid status in colostrum and in the blood plasma of calves when dams were supplemented with EFA (mainly n-3 fatty acids provided by linseed oil) and CLA ( cis -9, trans -11 CLA and trans -10, cis -12 CLA) during late gestation and early lactation [ 26 , 27 ]. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the inflammatory and oxidative status as well as anti-oxidative response of calves born from cows, supplemented abomasally with coconut oil as a saturated fatty acid source, EFA and CLA during late pregnancy and early lactation, within the first 5 days after birth.…”

“…From day 3 onwards, calves were fed an amount of 12% of BW per day, which was provided in 2 meals. Details on feeding management including the milk composition were recently published in a companion paper [ 26 ].…”

“…and transition milk fed to the calves were derived from their ls consisted of first colostrum. If the quantity of first colostrum 3 of 24 [26,27]. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the inflammatory and e status as well as anti-oxidative response of calves born from cows, supplebomasally with coconut oil as a saturated fatty acid source, EFA and CLA during nancy and early lactation, within the first 5 days after birth.…”

“…For technical reasons, the study was subdivided into 5 consecutive blocks including 7−8 calves born per block. lactation [26,27]. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the inflammatory and oxidative status as well as anti-oxidative response of calves born from cows, supplemented abomasally with coconut oil as a saturated fatty acid source, EFA and CLA during late pregnancy and early lactation, within the first 5 days after birth.…”

“…From day 3 onwards, calves were fed an am 12% of BW per day, which was provided in 2 meals. Details on feeding manage cluding the milk composition were recently published in a companion paper [26 In general, colostrum and transition milk fed to the calves were derived fr own dam. The first 2 meals consisted of first colostrum.…”