Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation during the transition period increased milk production in primiparous and multiparous dairy cows

Review: Effect of essential fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid on the adaptive physiology of dairy cows during the transition period

Cows fed total mixed rations (silage-based) may not receive as much essential fatty acids (EFAs) and conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) as cows fed pasture-based rations (fresh grass) containing rich sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids. CLA-induced milk fat depression allows dairy cows to conserve more metabolisable energy, thereby shortening the state of negative energy balance and reducing excessive fat mobilisation at early lactation. EFAs, particularly α-linolenic acid, exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties, thereby modulating immune functions. Thus, combined EFA and CLA supplementation seems to be an effective nutritional strategy to relieve energy metabolism and to improve immune response, which are often compromised during the transition from late pregnancy to lactation in high-yielding dairy cows. There has been extensive research on this idea over the last two decades, and despite promising results, several interfering factors have led to varying findings, making it difficult to conclude whether and under what conditions EFA and CLA supplementations are beneficial for dairy cows during the transition period. This article reviews the latest studies on the effects of EFA and CLA supplementation, alone or in combination, on dairy cow metabolism and health during various stages around parturition. Our review article summarises and provides novel insights into the mechanisms by which EFA and/or CLA influence markers of metabolism, energy homeostasis and partitioning, immunity, and inflammation revealed by a deep molecular phenotyping.

Longitudinal liver proteome profiling in dairy cows during the transition from gestation to lactation: Investigating metabolic adaptations and their interactions with fatty acids supplementation via repeated measurements ANOVA-simultaneous component analysis

Repeated measurements analysis of variance - simultaneous component analysis (ASCA) has been developed to handle complex longitudinal omics datasets and combine novel information with existing data. Herein, we aimed at applying ASCA to 64 liver proteomes collected at 4-time points (day -21, +1, +28, and + 63 relative to parturition) from 16 Holstein cows treated from 9 wk. antepartum to 9 wk. postpartum (PP) with coconut oil (CTRL) or a mixture of essential fatty acids (EFA) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) (EFA + CLA). The ASCA modeled 116, 43, and 97 differentially abundant proteins (DAP) during the transition to lactation, between CTRL and EFA + CLA, and their interaction, respectively. Time-dependent DAP were annotated to pathways related to the metabolism of carbohydrates, FA, and amino acid in the PP period. The DAP between FA and the interaction effect were annotated to the metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, drug metabolism - cytochrome P450, retinol metabolism, and steroid hormone biosynthesis. Collectively, ASCA provided novel information on molecular markers of metabolic adaptations and their interactions with EFA + CLA supplementation. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that supplemental EFA + CLA amplified hepatic FA oxidation; cytochrome P450 was enriched to maintain metabolic homeostasis by oxidation/detoxification of endogenous compounds and xenobiotics. SIGNIFICANCE: This report is among the first ones applying repeated measurement analysis of variance-simultaneous component analysis (ASCA) to deal with longitudinal proteomics results. ASCA separately identified differentially abundant proteins (DAP) in 'transition time', 'between fatty acid treatments', and 'their interaction'. We first identified the molecular signature of hepatic metabolic adaptations during postpartum negative energy balance; the enriched pathways were well-known pathways related to mobilizing fatty acids (FA) and amino acids to support continuous energy production through fatty acid oxidation, TCA cycle, and gluconeogenesis. Some of the DAP were not previously reported in transition dairy cows. Secondly, we provide novel information on the mechanisms by which supplemented essential FA and conjugated linoleic acids interact with hepatic metabolism. In this regard, FA amplified hepatic detoxifying and oxidation capacity through ligand activation of nuclear receptors. Finally, we briefly compared the strengths and weaknesses of the ASCA model with PLS-DA and outlined why these methods are complementary.

The Effect of CLA-Rich Isomerized Poppy Seed Oil on the Fat Level and Fatty Acid Profile of Cow and Sheep Milk

The aim of the study was to examine the effect of dietary supplementation of isomerized poppy seed oil (IPO) enriched with conjugated dienes of linoleic acid (CLA) on cow and sheep milk parameters (fat content, fatty acid profile, Δ9-desaturase index, and atherogenic index). The process of poppy seed oil alkaline isomerization caused the formation of CLA isomers with cis-9,trans-11, trans-10,cis-12, and cis-11,trans-13 configurations in the amounts of 31.2%, 27.6%, and 4.1% of total fatty acids (FAs), respectively. Animal experiments were conducted on 16 Polish Holstein Friesian cows (control (CTRL) and experimental (EXP), n = 8/group) and 20 East Friesian Sheep (CTRL and EXP, n = 10/group). For four weeks, animals from EXP groups received the addition of IPO in the amount of 1% of dry matter. Milk was collected three times: on days 7, 14, and 30. Diet supplementation with IPO decrease milk fat content (p < 0.01). Milk fat from EXP groups had higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, including FAs with beneficial biological properties, that is, CLA and TVA (p < 0.01), and lower levels of saturated fatty acids, particularly short- (p < 0.01) and medium-chain FAs (p < 0.05). The addition of IPO led to a decrease in the atherogenic index.

Conjugated linoleic acid as a potential bioactive molecule to modulates gamete and embryo cryotolerance

Abstract Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a mixture of positional isomers of linoleic acid found in meat and dairy products from ruminants. It is a trans fat widely used by athletes as a food supplement, due to a supposed effect of maximizing the use of body fat reserves. The interest in diet and culture media supplementation with CLA is an emerging area, demanding studies in order to elucidate its benefits in the reproductive parameters, as well as in cryopreservation. Therefore, the aim of this review was to discuss the effects of CLA on the oocytes, sperm and embryos cryotolerance. Some studies have already demonstrated its use in cryopreservation of germline. Among those, it was observed that CLA supplementation during oocyte in vitro maturation can increase their viability post-freezing and developmental capacity. Regarding the use of CLA on sperm, there are few studies and their results are still inconclusive. Finally, studies about CLA supplementation on embryo culture media have shown promising results, indicating that this bioactive molecule is able to modulate lipid uptake on blastomeres. Altogether, these findings demonstrate the potential use of CLA as a bioactive molecule to improve germline and embryo cryotolerance and open new perspectives on human and animal reproduction field.

Prepartum supplementation of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) increased milk energy output and decreased serum fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate in early lactation dairy cows

Prepartum supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) may influence lipolysis and hyperketonemia in dairy cows. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of prepartum CLA supplementation on lactation performance and serum fatty acids (FA) and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in early lactation dairy cows, and secondarily on reproductive performance. Multiparous cows were enrolled in the study at 18 days prior to expected calving date, and randomly assigned 100 g/day of Lutrell Pure (BASF, Ludwigshafen, Germany; 75% FA), providing 10 g/day of each CLA isomer (trans-10 cis-12 and cis-9 trans-11 CLA) or equivalent amount of rumen inert fatty acids as control (78 g/day of Energy Booster 100; Milk Specialties Global, Eden Prairie, MN). Treatments were top dressed daily to individual cows from enrollment to calving and all cows were offered the same ration. Blood samples were collected on the first day of supplementation, 10 days prepartum, and 1, 7, 14, and 30 days postpartum. Hyperketonemia was defined as serum BHB ≥ 1.2 mM. Milk yield was recorded daily until 60 days postpartum and averaged weekly. Milk samples were obtained weekly for component analysis. Prepartum CLA supplementation tended to increase serum concentration of cis-9, trans-11 CLA and increased trans-10, cis-12 CLA prepartum. Cows supplemented with CLA had increased milk protein yield and tended to have increased milk fat yield and milk yield, which together resulted in greater energy content of milk. Cows supplemented with CLA had lower serum FA on day 1 and 7 postpartum and overall lower serum BHB postpartum, which resulted in decreased prevalence of hyperketonemia on day 14 postpartum. There were no differences in body condition score change, other health disorders, or reproductive outcomes by treatment. Together, these findings indicate that prepartum CLA supplementation may be a plausible strategy to positively influence postpartum performance.

Innovative dairy cow management to improve resistance to metabolic and infectious diseases during the transition period

The incidence of metabolic and infectious diseases varies greatly during the lactation cycle. Most new cases of clinical mastitis appear at the beginning of lactation, and the incidence increases with the level of milk production. In addition to mastitis, many other infectious diseases become clinically apparent during the first 2weeks of lactation. During this time, cows are in a negative energy balance and must mobilize body reserves to balance the deficit between food energy intake and energy required for milk production. The relationships between energy deficit and metabolic diseases, such as ketosis and hepatic lipidosis, are well known. Furthermore, cows in energy deficit have a weakened immune system and are therefore more susceptible to infections. There is now good evidence that the increase in circulating non-esterified fatty acids impairs immune cell functions. Therefore, management approaches that reduce the negative energy balance and the increase in non-esterified fatty acids at the beginning of lactation are likely to improve resistance to infection. Improving the nutrient supply through periparturient nutritional management has been the subject of considerable research. However, another way to reduce the imbalance between nutrient supply and demand is to temporarily decrease the latter. In this review, we examine how management strategies such as conjugated linoleic acid feeding, prepartum milking, or limiting postpartum milk production could be used to reduce metabolic perturbations and immunosuppression during the transition period. At this stage, it appears that reducing the amount of milk harvested postpartum by means of partial milking in the first days after calving is the most promising approach to reduce metabolic stress and immunosuppression without compromising the productivity of high-yielding dairy cows.