Effects of supplementation of maize silage diets with extruded linseed, vitamin E and plant extracts rich in polyphenols, and morning v. evening milking on milk fatty acid profiles in Holstein and Montbéliarde cows

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects on dairy performance and milk fatty acid (FA) composition of (i) supplementation with extruded linseed (EL), (ii) supplementation with synthetic or natural antioxidants, namely vitamin E and plant extracts rich in polyphenols (PERP), (iii) cow breed (Holstein v. Montbé liarde) and (iv) time of milking (morning v. evening). After a 3-week pre-experimental period 24 lactating cows (12 Holstein and 12 Montbé liarde) were divided up into four groups of six cows: the first group received a daily control diet (diet C) based on maize silage. The second group received the same diet supplemented with EL (diet EL, fat level approximately 5% of dietary dry matter (DM)). The third group received the EL diet plus 375 IU/kg diet DM of vitamin E (diet ELE). The fourth group received the ELE diet plus 10 g/kg diet DM of a PERP mixture (diet ELEP). Compared with the diet C, feeding EL-rich diets led to lower concentrations of total saturated FA (SFA) and higher concentrations of stearic and oleic acids, each trans and cis isomer of 18:1 (except c12-18:1), non-conjugated isomers of 18:2, some isomers (c9t11-, c9c11-and t11t13-) of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and 18:3n-3. The vitamin E supplementation had no effect on milk yield, milk fat or protein percentage and only moderate effects on milk concentrations of FA (increase in 16:0, decreases in 18:0 and t6/7/8-18:1). The addition of PERP to vitamin E did not modify milk yield or composition and slightly altered milk FA composition (decrease in total saturated FA (SFA) and increase in monounsaturated FA (MUFA)). The minor effects of vitamin E may be partly linked to the fact that no milk fat depression occurred with the EL diet. During both periods the Holstein cows had higher milk production, milk fat and protein yields, and milk percentages of 4:0 and 18:3n-3, and lower percentages of odd-branched chain FA (OBCFA) than the Montbéliarde cows. During the experimental period the Holstein cows had lower percentages of total cis 18:1, and c9,c11-CLA, and higher percentages of 6:0, 8:0, t12-, t16/c14-and t13/14-18:1, and 18:2n-6 than Montbéliarde cows because of several significant interactions between breed and diet. Also, the total SFA percentage was higher for morning than for evening milkings, whereas those of MUFA, total cis 18:1, OBCFA and 18:2n-6 were lower. Extruded linseed supplementation had higher effect on milk FA composition than antioxidants, breed or time of milking.

Fatty acid profile and health lipid indices in the raw milk of Simmental and Holstein-Friesian cows from an organic farm

“…In the study by Kuczyńska et al (2012), the milk from Montbéliarde cows was characterized by a significantly higher level of C14:0, C18:0, 18:2cis9trans11 and total SFA, and significantly lower level of C18:2trans10cis12, C20:3n-6 and C22:6n-3 than the milk of the HF breed. Similar results were obtained in the study by Ferlay et al (2010), in which Holstein cows had lower percentages of total SFA and higher of total monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and PUFA concentration, though higher percentages of CLAcis9trans11, than from Montbéliarde cows. Mele et al (2007) and Schennink et al (2008) attributed differences in milk fat composition among breeds to varying activity of Delta 9 -desaturase (Samková et al, 2012).…”

“…However, a markedly lower content of stearic acid was noted in some studies. Pešek et al (2005), Kliem et al (2009), Ferlay et al (2010 and MauriceVan Eijndhoven et al (2011) even determined a higher proportion of myristic acid than stearic acid in the milk of Holstein cows.…”

“…Barłowska et al (2006;2009) reported a lower content of PUFA in Simmental and PHF milk (3.62% -4% and 2.78% -2.84%, respectively) compared with that in the present study. In previous studies, the mean total proportion of PUFA in the milk of Holstein cows was lower and ranged from 2.8% to 4.9% (White et al, 2001;Kelsey et al, 2003;Kliem et al, 2009;Ferlay et al, 2010;Kuczyńska et al, 2012). Long-chain PUFAs are beneficial to human health owing to their antitherogenic, antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory effects (Williams, 2000).…”

“…However, little information is available on the comparison between Holstein and Simmental cows (Barłowska et al, 2009). In addition, most breed comparison studies have been carried out under total mixed ration (TMR) systems or with grazing animals receiving supplements (Morales et al, 2000;Kliem et al, 2009;Ferlay et al, 2010;Kuczyńska et al, 2012). Only a few studies have evaluated the FA profiles and nutritional quality of milk of different breeds grazing pastures (Lawless et al, 1999;White et al, 2001;Nantapo et al, 2014).…”

Effect of hemp seed oil supplementation on plasma lipid profile, liver function, milk fatty acid, cholesterol, and vitamin A concentrations in Carpathian goats

“…Milk FA composition was determined as described by Ferlay et al (2010) with some modifications. The FA methyl esters (FAME) were prepared by direct trans methylation.…”