Effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on the metabolism and reproduction of dairy cows

Abstract

Rumen-protected conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reportedly improves fertility in lactating dairy cows by reducing the postpartum interval to first ovulation and enhancing the circulating insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) levels. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the blood metabolites, hormones, follicular fluid (FF) and liver for the effect of CLA supplementation (50 g top-dressed daily from 15 days pre-partum to 65 days in milk -DIM -). Pre-partum Holstein cows (n = 24) were assigned to two treatments: a Control and CLA group (n = 12 cows/group). Dry matter intake (DMI) and milk production were recorded daily. At 26 DIM, ovulation was synchronized and at 34 DIM, plasma and FF were analysed for paraoxonase 1(PON) levels. Moreover plasma was analysed for IGF binding protein 2 and 3 (IGFBP). From 34 DIM, blood samples and FF from follicles >9 mm were collected and analysed for estradiol, progesterone, IGF-I and lipoproteins. A liver biopsy was performed at 65 DIM and analysed for the expression of IGF-I, growth hormone receptor (GHR), pyruvate carboxylase (PC) and cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PECK). CLA supplemented cows, compared to the control group, recorded a significant lower milk fat production, improved DMI and energy balance and recorded significant increased plasma concentrations of IGF-I, cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and IGFBP-3 (interaction treatment x DIM). The concentration of IGF-I, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and LDL tended to be higher in FF than plasma. This study confirms the positive effects of dietary CLA supplementation on the metabolism, by improving the energy intake and reducing the negative energy balance. Moreover, the improvement of plasma IGF-I levels observed in this study, coupled with a better energy balance support previous studies showing a positive effect of CLA supplementation on reproduction. However, CLA did not alter the plasma and the FF concentration of PON, nor the liver gene expression. _______________________________________________________________________________________

Effect of pre‐ and post‐partum supplementation with lipid‐encapsulated conjugated linoleic acid on milk yield and metabolic status in multiparous high‐producing dairy cows

“…Literature data in terms of the effect of CLA on DMI of cows are inconsistent. Some authors described an increased DMI (Esposito et al., ), but on the other hand, numerous studies suggested that CLA is not influencing feed intake significantly (Overton et al., ; Bernal‐Santos et al., ), or indeed, it has a negative effect on it (Moallem et al., ; Pappritz et al., ). Whether the higher pen DMI was an effect of CLA cannot be unequivocally concluded from our results.…”

Prepartum supplementation of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) increased milk energy output and decreased serum fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate in early lactation dairy cows

“…Supplementation of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in the early postpartum period is a possible strategy to decrease negative energy balance and improve postpartum metabolic health by reducing milk fat secretion [ 5 – 7 ]. This scenario is undesirable by many dairy producers who sell milk in component compensated markets.…”

Interactions between negative energy balance, metabolic diseases, uterine health and immune response in transition dairy cows

“…Feeding these isomers in a rumen-protected form to transition dairy cows reduces negative energy balance and NEFA and BHB levels in blood (Mattos et al, 2000;Castaneda-Gutierrez et al, 2007;Trevisi and Bertoni, 2008;Esposito et al, 2013). CLA supplementation increases DMI and some of the negative acute phase proteins such as albumin and cholesterol Esposito et al, 2013). Moreover, in vitro studies showed that CLA have a beneficial role in protecting PON1 from oxidative inactivation, as well as in its stabilization in a concentration-dependent action against various oxidative inactivation systems (Su et al, 2003;Nguyen and Sok, 2004).…”

“…Lately, researchers have been focusing mainly on the isomers cis-9, trans-11 and the trans-10, cis-12. Feeding these isomers in a rumen-protected form to transition dairy cows reduces negative energy balance and NEFA and BHB levels in blood (Mattos et al, 2000;Castaneda-Gutierrez et al, 2007;Trevisi and Bertoni, 2008;Esposito et al, 2013). CLA supplementation increases DMI and some of the negative acute phase proteins such as albumin and cholesterol Esposito et al, 2013).…”