Conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) are octadecadienoic fatty acids that have profound effects on lipid metabolism. Our previous work showed that CLA (mixture of isomers) markedly reduced milk fat synthesis. In this study, our objective was to evaluate the effects of specific CLA isomers. Multiparous Holstein cows were used in a 3x3 Latin square design, and treatments were 4-day abomasal infusions of 1) skim milk (control), 2) 9,11 CLA supplement, and 3) 10,12 CLA supplement. CLA supplements provided 10 g/day of the specific CLA isomer (cis-9,trans-11 or trans-10,cis-12). Treatments had no effect on intake, milk yield, or milk protein yield. Only the 10,12 CLA supplement affected milk fat, causing a 42 and 44% reduction in milk fat percentage and yield, respectively. Milk fat composition revealed that de novo synthesized fatty acids were extensively reduced. Increases in ratios of C(14:0) to C(14:1) and C(18:0) to C(18:1) indicated the 10,12 CLA supplement also altered Delta(9)-desaturase. Treatments had minimal effects on plasma concentrations of glucose, nonesterified fatty acids, insulin, or insulin-like growth factor-I. Overall, results demonstrate that trans-10,cis-12 CLA is the isomer responsible for inhibition of milk fat synthesis.

We examined the role of trans-octadecenoic acids in milk fat depression when low fiber diets were fed. The study consisted of four experimental periods with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to test the effects of dietary fat (saturated vs. unsaturated) and rumen fermentation (high fiber diets vs. low fiber diets) on milk fat depression. Dietary fiber concentration and type of fat had significant effects on milk fat. Effects were most pronounced when unsaturated fat was added to the low fiber diet. When the low fiber diet plus unsaturated fat was fed, milk fat percentage and yield were decreased by 30 and 35%, respectively, compared with the percentage and yield when the high fiber diet plus saturated fat was fed. Alterations in rumen fermentation caused by differences in dietary fiber concentrations had little effect on the amount of trans-octadecenoic acids in milk fat, and the total amount did not correlate with changes in milk fat percentage. Further examination of the isomeric profile of trans-octadecenoic acid revealed substantial differences among the dietary treatments. Although the addition of unsaturated fat resulted in marked increases in the milk fat content of trans-11-octadecenoic acid, regardless of dietary fiber concentration, the low fiber diet plus unsaturated fat increased the content of trans-10-octadecenoic acid. This combination was also associated with a significant decrease in milk fat content and yield. When the low fiber diets were fed, circulating insulin concentrations were elevated, regardless of the type of fat supplement. However, marked milk fat depression occurred only when the low fiber diet was supplemented with unsaturated fat.

Feeding conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduces milk fat synthesis in lactating dairy cows, and the effect has been shown to be specific for the trans-10, cis-12 CLA isomer. Our objectives were to examine potential mechanisms by which trans-10, cis-12 CLA inhibits milk fat synthesis. Multiparous Holstein cows (n = 4) in late lactation were used in a balanced 2 x 2 crossover design. Treatments consisted of a 5 d abomasal infusion of either skim milk (control) or purified trans-10, cis-12 CLA (13.6 g/d) emulsified in skim milk. On d 5 of infusion, mammary gland biopsies were performed and a portion of the tissue analyzed for mRNA expression of acetyl CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthetase, delta 9-desaturase, lipoprotein lipase, fatty acid binding protein, glycerol phosphate acyltransferase and acylglycerol phosphate acyltransferase. Lipogenic capacity was evaluated with another portion of the tissue. Infusion of trans-10, cis-12 CLA decreased milk fat content and yield 42 and 48%, respectively and increased the trans-10, cis-12 CLA content in milk fat from < 0.1 to 4.9 mg/g. Reductions in milk fat content of C4 to C16 fatty acids contributed 63% to the total decrease in milk fat yield (molar basis). Analysis of the ratios of specific fatty acid pairs indicated trans-10, cis-12 CLA also shifted fatty acid composition in a manner consistent with a reduction in delta 9-desaturase. Mammary explant incubations with radiolabeled acetate established that lipogenic capacity was decreased 82% and acetate oxidation to CO2 was reduced 61% when cows received trans-10, cis-12 CLA. Infusing trans-10, cis-12 CLA also decreased the mRNA expression of all measured enzymes by 39 to 54%. Overall, data demonstrated the mechanism by which trans-10, cis-12 CLA inhibits milk fat synthesis includes decreasing expression of genes that encode for enzyme involved in circulating fatty acid uptake and transport, de novo fatty acid synthesis, desaturation of fatty acids and triglyceride synthesis.

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Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a naturally occurring anticarcinogen found in dairy products, is an intermediary product of ruminal biohydrogenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Our objective was to determine the effect of different dietary oils, which vary in fatty acid composition, on CLA concentrations in milk from lactating dairy cows. Twelve Holstein cows were randomly assigned to a 3 x 3 Latin square design. Dietary treatments were the addition (53 g/kg dietary dry matter) of peanut oil (high oleic acid), sunflower oil (high linoleic acid) and linseed oil (high linolenic acid). Each treatment period was 2 wk, and milk samples were collected on the last 4 d of each period. Milk yield (34.2 +/- 1.3 kg/d) and milk fat (2.25 +/- 0.06%) were not different among treatments. Milk protein during the sunflower oil treatment (mean, 3.44% protein) was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than during the other treatments. Milk fat concentration of CLA during the sunflower oil treatment was significantly different from other treatments (P < 0.001) and approximately 500% greater than typically observed when cows consume traditional diets. CLA concentrations (mg/g of milk fat) were 13.3, 24.4 and 16.7 during peanut oil, sunflower oil and linseed oil treatment, respectively. CLA concentration in milk fat can be enhanced by the addition of polyunsaturated fatty acids to the diet, especially oils high in linoleic acid.