Effects of Supplementation with Essential Fatty Acids and Conjugated Linoleic Acids on Muscle Structure and Fat Deposition in Lactating Holstein Cows

Cheng Xiao, Elke Albrecht (), Dirk Dannenberger, Weibo Kong, Hao Gu, Harald M. Hammon and Steffen Maak
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Cheng Xiao: Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany
Elke Albrecht: Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany
Dirk Dannenberger: Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany
Weibo Kong: Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany
Hao Gu: Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany
Harald M. Hammon: Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany
Steffen Maak: Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany

Agriculture, 2024, vol. 14, issue 10, 1-18

Abstract: High-yielding dairy cows need diets that meet their energy demand and contain sufficient essential nutrients such as n-3 fatty acids (FAs). Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is able to relieve the energy metabolism, but common corn silage and concentrate-based diets contain insufficient amounts of essential fatty acids (EFA). Abomasal infusion was used in the current study to supplement cows from 9 weeks antepartum to 9 weeks postpartum with either coconut oil (CTRL, n = 8), EFA ( n = 9), or conjugated linoleic acid (CLA, n = 9), or a combination of both (EFA + CLA, n = 10). The study focused on the effects of FAs on peripheral tissues, such as longissimus muscle (MLD) and adipose tissues, which were harvested after slaughter. Fatty acid composition, muscle fiber and fat cell morphology, muscle fiber type transition, and gene expression were analyzed. Supplemented FAs and their metabolites were increased ( p < 0.05) in MLD and intermuscular fat (INTF) but not in subcutaneous fat (SCF). The intramuscular fat content and gene expression of ACACA and FASN were increased in CLA-supplemented cows ( p < 0.05). Supplementation did not affect the muscle fiber size and fiber type composition. Supplemented CLA had more effects than EFA, improving the energy balance of cows accompanied with increased triglyceride formation and storage.

Keywords: essential fatty acid; CLA; muscle; adipose tissue; muscle fiber type; lipid metabolism; gene expression; cow (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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