Effect of unsaturated fatty acid supplementation on digestion, metabolism and nutrient balance in dairy cows during the transition period and early lactation

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of unsaturated fatty acids in diets for dairy cows during the transition period and early lactation on intake, digestion and nutrient balance. Thirty-six multiparous and pregnant Holstein cows were randomly distributed to receive one of the experimental diets in the period from 35 days before the expected date of parturition to 84 days post-partum. Diets were fed as a total mixed ration and were as follows: control (C); soybean oil (SO), based on inclusion of 30 g/kg (DM basis); and calcium salts of unsaturated fatty acids (CS), based on inclusion of 30 g/kg (DM basis). Pre-partum dry matter intakes (DMI) of cows fed C, SO and CS were 11.9, 9.5 and 9.6 kg/d, respectively. Post-partum DMI was affected by experimental diets (18.5, 15.0 and 17.4 kg/d for C, SO and CS, respectively). The energy balance in the transition period of animals fed CS was 4.41 Mcal/d higher than cows fed SO and 1.3 Mcal/d higher than cows fed C. Supplementing cows with unsaturated fatty acid sources is a strategy for dairy cows in the transition period

Nutrients balances and milk fatty acid profile of mid lactation dairy cows supplemented with unsaturated fatty acid

The objective was to evaluate the effect of unsaturated fatty acid sources supplementation on nutrients balances and milk fatty acid profile of mid lactation dairy cows. Twelve Brazilian Holstein cows in the mid lactation (mean of 128 days) and (580 ± 20kg of weight; mean ± SD) with milk yield of 25kg/d were assigned randomly into three 4 × 4 Latin square, fed the following diets: control (C); refined soybean oil; (SO); whole soybean raw (WS) and; calcium salts of unsaturated fatty acids (CSFA). Milk yield was 26.6; 26.4; 24.1 and 25.7 to the diets CO, SO, WS and CSFA respectively. Cows fed the WS treatment produced less milk (1.95kg/d of milk), fat and lactose than did cows fed the SO and CSFA. Cows fed the CSFA treatment showed less blood, urine (g/d) concentrations of N more energetic efficiency and intake of energy than did cows fed the SO treatment. Cows fed the unsaturated fatty acids sources showed more C18:2 cis-9, trans-11 CLA and trans-C18:1 FA concentration in milk than did cows fed the CO treatment. Diets with whole soybeans and soybeans oil provide more efficient digestive processes, and increase milk composition of unsaturated fatty acids