Effects of Abomasal Infusion of Long-Chain Fatty Acids on Intake, Feeding Behavior and Milk Production in Dairy Cows

Abstract

Fat is often fed to dairy cows to increase the energy concentration of their diet; however, feeding fat often reduces dry matter intake (DMI), which limits its impact on metabolizable energy (ME) intake. To investigate the effects of postruminal fat infusion on intake, feeding behavior, and milk production of dairy cows at two stages of lactation (55 and 111 d postpartum), six Holstein x British Friesian cows were infused into the abomasum, with a mixture of rapeseed and sunflower oils supplying predominantly unsaturated long-chain fatty acids (LCFA). Dry matter intake was significantly depressed by oil infusion, but estimated ME intake was unchanged, and thus there was no effect of oil infusion on milk yield. There was no effect of stage of lactation on the DM or ME intake response to oil infusion. Milk fat concentration was increased by oil infusion in mid-lactation but not in early lactation, suggesting that the infused LCFA were utilized differently in early compared with midlactation. Cows spent an average of 654 min idling, 462 min ruminating, and 248 min eating during the last 22.8 h of each infusion. There were no significant effects of oil infusion or stage of lactation on the total time spent engaged in these activities. An assessment of the circadian pattern of feeding behavior suggested that the depression in DMI in response to oil infusion occurred after the 1630 and 2230 h feeding times. This may reflect differences in mechanisms regulating feed intake behavior and appetite during the day. Comparison of the results of the present study with the results of other trials involving postruminal fat infusion suggests that polyunsaturated nonesterified fatty acids have the most potent effect on DMI intake.

Evaluation of concentrate factors affecting silage intake of dairy cows: a development of the relative total diet intake index

“…These values are slightly higher than the corresponding value (0.25 kg) derived from our data. Benson et al (2001) summarized published studies investigating the effects of abomasal infusions of fat on DM intake. Intake decreased consistently with fat infusions, the response being more pronounced for C 18:2 than for C 18:1 fatty acids.…”

Comportamento ingestivo de vacas Jersey alimentadas com dietas contendo diferentes fontes de gordura nos primeiros 100 dias de lactação

“…Existe interesse considerável na utiliza-ção de gordura como fonte de energia em dietas de vacas lactantes ( Albrigth, 1993). Ácidos graxos polinsaturados e aqueles na forma não esterificada parecem ser inibidores mais potentes do consumo que, respectivamente, ácidos graxos monoinsaturados e esterificados (Benson et al, 2001).…”

“…No entanto, o efeito da adição de diferentes fontes de gordura sobre o comportamento alimentar ainda é pouco estudado. Benson et al (2001) infundiram ácidos graxos insaturados ou água (controle) no abomaso de vacas em lactação, aos 55 e 111 dias após o parto. Os autores observaram uma redução no consumo voluntário de matéria seca, mas não de energia metabolizável, em ambos os estágios de lactação nos animais que receberam ácidos graxos insaturados comparados ao controle.…”

Review: Feed intake, milk production and milk composition of dairy cows fed flaxseed

“…According to Benson et al (2001), long-chain fatty acids are utilized differently in the early compared with the mid stage of lactation: in the early stage of lactation, the long-chain fatty acids may be preferentially oxidized, whereas in the mid stage of lactation, when cows are in a more positive energy balance, the supplemental longchain fatty acids may be secreted in milk or used for body adipose tissue. This may suggest that the negative effect of lipid supplementation on dry matter intake would be more important as lactation progressed as observed by Petit et al (2005).…”