Changes of Plasma Fatty Acids in Four Lipid Classes to Understand Energy Metabolism at Different Levels of Non-Esterified Fatty Acid (NEFA) in Dairy Cows

Abstract

The transition period is a central moment in dairy cows breeding because metabolic disorders may occur in relation to a dramatic increase in energy demand. This research aimed to identify new biomarkers for the diagnosis of hyperketonemia in bovine in early lactation phase with different value of plasmatic non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA). The profile of plasma fatty acids (FAs) divided into four lipid classes was evaluated using thin layer chromatography and gas chromatographic techniques (TLC-GC). A group of 60 multiparous Holstein–Friesian dairy cows were recruited in the present study. Blood samples were collected from the coccygeal vein and NEFA and the β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) were evaluated. All animals were divided in 2 groups based on NEFA, NEFA0 group had as mean value 0.24 ± 0.12 mEq/L and NEFA1 group had as mean value 0.87 ± 0.23 mEq/L. Plasma FA concentrations were analyzed separately in free fatty acids, cholesterol esters, phospholipids and triglycerides. Six FAs demonstrated a predictive value in the hyperketonemic dairy cows. In the free fatty acid class, the predictive FAs were C14:0 (AUC = 0.77), C18:1 ω 9 (AUC = 0.72), C18:1 ω 7 (AUC = 0.70) and C18:3 ω 3 (AUC = 0.68). In the phospholipids class the predictive parameters were C12:0 (AUC = 0.78) and C8:0 (AUC = 0.73). In cholesterol, esters and triglycerides lipidic classes no FA had a predictive function.

Milk Fatty Acids Composition Changes According to β-Hydroxybutyrate Concentrations in Ewes during Early Lactation

“…NEFAs derive from body fat mobilization and they increase during ketosis [ 21 ]. NEFAs concentrations are positively related to milk’s fat synthesis, so they represent the crucial biological substances for it [ 12 ].…”

Effects of endocannabinoids on feed intake, stress response and whole-body energy metabolism in dairy cows

“…Total plasma fatty acids in cows can be predictive for lipid classes. While C16:0, C18:0 and C18:1c9 are the major fatty acids of the free fatty acid fraction or bound in TG, C18:2n6 is the predominant fatty acid bound in cholesterol esters and phospholipids 65 . Besides, plasma phospholipids may also contain substantial amounts of C16:0 and C18:0 65 .…”

“…While C16:0, C18:0 and C18:1c9 are the major fatty acids of the free fatty acid fraction or bound in TG, C18:2n6 is the predominant fatty acid bound in cholesterol esters and phospholipids 65 . Besides, plasma phospholipids may also contain substantial amounts of C16:0 and C18:0 65 . Our results of decreasing levels of C16:0, C16:1 and C18:1c9 after AEA and 2-AG administration for 8 days may indicate that EC facilitate the flux of free fatty acids to adipocytes for TG synthesis as described earlier 64 , 66 .…”

Hyperketonemia Predictions Provide an On-Farm Management Tool with Epidemiological Insights

“…When triglycerides are mobilized from adipose tissue postpartum, blood FA increase, and the blood FA profile resembles the FA profile of adipose tissue more closely. Circulating blood FA provide a precursor to milk fat synthesis so in addition to resulting in increased milk fat, increased adipose triglyceride mobilization can lead to a downstream shift in milk FA profile to reflect the change in milk fat precursors, as determined by gas chromatography [ 33 , 34 , 35 ]. High-throughput analysis of milk FA groups by FTIR analysis is being explored [ 27 , 36 ] and although not perfectly aligned with gas chromatography analysis, FTIR-based predicted FA can be grouped as de novo (<C16), mixed (C16), and preformed (>C16) and can provide insight into the physiology described above.…”