Ruminal metabolism of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) lignans to the mammalian lignan enterolactone and its concentration in ruminal fluid, plasma, urine and milk of dairy cows

Abstract

Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside is the main flax (Linum usitatissimum) lignan that is converted to the mammalian lignans enterodiol (ED) and enterolactone (EL) by gastrointestinal microbiota. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the role of ruminal microbiota and the effects of flax oil on in vivo metabolism of flax lignans and concentration of EL in biological fluids. Four rumen-cannulated dairy cows were used in a 4 £ 4 Latin square design. There were four periods of 21 d each and four treatments utilising flax hulls (1800 g/d) and oil (400 g/d) supplements. The treatments were: (1) oil and hulls administered in the rumen and abomasal infusion of water; (2) oil and hulls administered in the abomasum; (3) oil infused in the abomasum and hulls placed in the rumen; (4) oil placed in the rumen and hulls administered in the abomasum. Samples were collected during the last week of each period and subjected to chemical analysis. The site of supplementation of oil and hulls had no effect on ruminal EL concentration. Supplementing flax oil in the rumen and the abomasum led to similar EL concentrations in urine, plasma and milk. Concentrations of EL were higher in the urine, plasma and milk of cows supplemented with hulls in the rumen than in those placed with hulls in the abomasum. The present study demonstrated that ruminal microbiota play an important role in the metabolism of flax lignans.

Effect of bovine ABCG2 polymorphism Y581S SNP on secretion into milk of enterolactone, riboflavin and uric acid

“…The enterolactone concentration in cows' milk agrees with the average content reported in previous studies (Antignac et al, 2004;Gagnon et al, 2009). Flax hulls increase concentration of enterolactone in bovine milk and the abundance of some antioxidant genes in the mammary gland, which can promote an antioxidant environment and protect against oxidative stress damage in the mammary gland (Cortes et al, 2012;Schogor et al, 2013).…”

Concentration of the mammalian lignans enterolactone and enterodiol in milk of cows fed diets containing different concentrations of whole flaxseed

“…However, it is unlikely that differences in fatty acids concentrations influenced the yield of EL in milk. Indeed, Gagnon et al (2009) have shown that SDG metabolism in the rumen is not affected by flax oil as indicated by similar EL concentrations in ruminal fluid and milk when cows are supplemented with flax oil in the rumen or the abomasum.…”

Heating effects on physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant activity of flaxseed hull oil (Linum usitatissimum L)

“…It represents 22-36% of the total flaxseed weight, depending on the dehulling technology utilized (Domah & Sitter, 2009). Flaxseed hulls contain approximately 25% of protein (Gagnon et al, 2009) and 15-30% of oil with around 45% of mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), especially ω-3 fatty acids (Domah & Sitter, 2009). Moreover, flaxseed hull is a source of carbohydrates and phenolic compounds (Herchi et al, 2014).…”