Influence of conjugated linoleic acid and vitamin E on performance, energy metabolism, and change of fat depot mass in transitional dairy cows.
The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and vitamin E as well as their interaction on performance variables and lipomobilization during late pregnancy and early lactation (wk 6 antepartum until wk 10 postpartum). For this purpose, 59 pluriparous German Holstein cows were assigned to 4 dietary groups in a 2 × 2 design with the factors CLA and vitamin E at 2 levels. For this trial, we selected cows with a high body condition score because they are more likely to mobilize fat and consequently are at a higher risk of developing ketosis. Furthermore, concentrate proportions were adjusted to provoke ketosis. Lactation performance variables were analyzed in 3 periods (d 42 antepartum until calving, 1 to 21 d in milk, 22 to 70 d in milk). Dry matter intake and net energy intake were reduced in animals receiving CLA. Milk fat content was reduced in the CLA group compared with the control group (4.83 vs. 5.46% in period 2; 3.36 vs. 4.57% in period 3). In the vitamin E and the CLA + vitamin E groups, reduction of milk fat content was observed in period 3 (3.76 vs. 4.57% compared with the control group). Milk yield was not affected by treatment. β-Hydroxybutyrate concentrations and liver lipid contents were not influenced by CLA or vitamin E. Moreover, longitudinal changes of adipose tissue depot mass were not affected by dietary treatments. Results suggest that the effects CLA had on milk composition were compensated by an increased milk yield and a decreased dry matter intake. Reduced milk energy output in CLA-treated animals was compensated by a reduced dry matter intake. Therefore, the net energy balance was not affected by either treatment. Consequently, we found no group effect on the mobilization of adipose tissue.
Institute of Animal Nutrition, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Bundesallee 50, 38116 Brunswick, Germany.
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Schäfers
Institute of Animal Nutrition, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Bundesallee 50, 38116 Brunswick, Germany. Electronic address: dirk.von_soosten@fli.de.
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von Soosten
Institute of Animal Nutrition, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Bundesallee 50, 38116 Brunswick, Germany.
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Meyer
Institute of Animal Nutrition, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Bundesallee 50, 38116 Brunswick, Germany.
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Drong
Institute of Animal Nutrition, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Bundesallee 50, 38116 Brunswick, Germany.
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Frahm
Institute of Animal Nutrition, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Bundesallee 50, 38116 Brunswick, Germany.
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Kluess
Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany.
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Raschka
Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany.
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Rehage
BASF SE, Chemiestraße 22, 68623 Lampertheim, Germany.
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Tröscher
BASF SE, Chemiestraße 22, 68623 Lampertheim, Germany.
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Pelletier
Institute of Animal Nutrition, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Bundesallee 50, 38116 Brunswick, Germany.
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Dänicke
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation / Q000187:drug effects; D044243:Linoleic Acids, Conjugated / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008892:Milk / Q000378:metabolism; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000378:metabolism*
D044243:Linoleic Acids, Conjugated; D014810:Vitamin E
conjugated linoleic acid; dairy cow; fat depot; vitamin E