title: Effect of a supplement rich in linolenic acid added to the diet of post partum dairy cows on ovarian follicle growth, and milk and plasma fatty acid compositions.
abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of a linseed supplement on follicle growth, progesterone concentrations and milk and plasma fatty acids in dairy cows post partum. Sixteen Holstein cows were given a basal total mixed diet plus one of two supplements: control (C; extruded soybeans; n = 8) or linseed (L; extruded linseeds; n = 8). One month after calving oestrous cycles were synchronised (PRID). Follicle growth and milk progesterone concentrations were measured every 2 d over the induced oestrous cycle. Milk production characteristics were unaffected by treatment. The L cows lost significantly more BCS than the C cows (P < 0.01). Plasma insulin, glucose and urea were unaffected by the treatment. Plasma NEFA tended to be affected by the treatment (L > C, P = 0.08). The proportions of 18:3n-3 in milk and plasma were increased by L compared to C (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively). There was an effect of dietary supplement on the numbers of small follicles (L < C, P < 0.05). Milk progesterone was unaffected by treatment. In conclusion, the increased supply of 18:3n-3 to the cows had only a modest effect on follicle populations and corpus luteum activity was unchanged.
authors.affiliation: UMR INRA-ENVA 1198, Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, 7 avenue du Général-de-Gaulle, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France. APonter@vet-alfort.fr
authors.forename: Andrew A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ponter
authors.forename: Anne-Emmanuelle
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Parsy
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saadé
authors.forename: Jean-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Mialot
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ficheux
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Duvaux-Ponter
authors.forename: Bénédicte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Grimard
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D008043:Linseed Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011374:Progesterone / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid; D011374:Progesterone; D008043:Linseed Oil