Fatty acid composition, including conjugated linoleic acid, of intramuscular fat from steers offered grazed grass, grass silage, or concentrate-based diets

The effects of grazed grass, grass silage, or concentrates on fatty acid composition and conjugated linoleic acid (cis-9, trans-11-18:2; CLA) concentrations of i.m. fat of steers fed to achieve similar carcass growth rates were investigated. Fifty steers were divided into 10 blocks based on body weight and assigned at random from within blocks to one of five dietary treatments. The experimental rations offered daily for 85 d preceding slaughter were 1) grass silage for ad libitum intake plus 4 kg of concentrate, 2) 8 kg of concentrate plus 1 kg of hay, 3) 6 kg of grazed grass DM plus 5 kg of concentrate, 4) 12 kg of grazed grass DM plus 2.5 kg concentrate, or 5) 22 kg of grazed grass DM. The concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in i.m. fat was higher (P < .05) for steers offered ration 5 than for those given any other ration. Decreasing the proportion of concentrate in the diet, which effectively increased grass intake, caused a linear decrease in the concentration of i.m. saturated fatty acids (SFA) (P < .01) and in the n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio (P < .001) and a linear increase in the PUFA:SFA ratio (P < .01) and the conjugated linoleic acid concentration (P < .001). The data indicate that i.m. fatty acid composition of beef can be improved from a human health perspective by inclusion of grass in the diet.     

Subcutaneous fatty acid composition of steers finished as weanlings or yearlings with and without growth promotants

Background: The current study evaluated the subcutaneous fatty acid(FA) composition of calf- and yearling-fed stee with or without growth promoting implants. Crossbred steers(n = 112; 267 ± 5.0 kg) of the same contemporary group were allocated to one of four production system and implant strategy based treatments in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments.Results: There were no interactions(P 0.05) between production systems and growth promoting implants for the total and individual subcutaneous FA. Yearling as opposed to calf finishing reduced(P 0.05) subcutaneous proportions of C20:3n-6, trans(t)12-18:1, C14:0, several minor cis-monounsaturated FA(c-MUFA; c9-14:1, c11-16:1,c11-18:1, c12-18:1, c13-18:1, c9-20:1 and c11-20:1), and increased(P 0.05) subcutaneous proportions of t11c15-18:2,total and individual branched-chain FA. Subcutaneous fat from steers implanted with growth promotants had higher(P 0.05) proportions of total polyunsaturated FA(PUFA), total n-6 PUFA, C18:2n-6 and individual t-18:1isomers(t6 to t10) compared to non-implanted steers.Conclusions: Overall, current findings show that production systems and growth promotants led to only minor differences in subcutaneous FA composition of beef steers.     

Creatinine and pseudouridine in plasma and urine from Brahman-cross steers fed a low, medium or high plane of nutrition

Metabolic state as influenced by growth rate may influence meat toughness and can be estimated from metabolites excreted in urine. Urine collection over 24 h requires animals to be constrained in metabolism crates for many days. Single blood sampling to estimate metabolites in plasma would be less stressful on animals than collecting 24 h urine excretion. This study investigated the hypothesis that the plasma concentrations of pseudouridine and creatinine were representative of those found in 24 h urine excretions in steers fed different quality diets. Eleven Brahman-cross steers were fed a high (n = 3), medium (n = 4) or low (n = 4) quality hay diet for three weeks. Steers were catheterized and housed in metabolism crates for 6 days. Urine was collected every 24 h and total volume sub-sampled for analyses of creatinine and pseudouridine. Jugular blood was collected from each steer every 3 h from 07:30 to 16:30 h. Plasma was separated from red blood cells by centrifugation and frozen for creatinine and pseudouridine analyses. No time of day effect was apparent for pseudouridine or creatinine so daily means were used to test for effect of diet and to relate to urinary concentrations. Nutritional restriction halted live weight gain but had no effect on urinary or plasma pseudouridine, suggesting that diet did not affect tRNA turnover. Increased plasma creatinine concentrations and reduced urinary creatinine concentration in steers experiencing nutritional restriction indicated that their renal clearance rate decreased. As a result, the ratio of plasma pseudouridine to creatinine concentration was not directly proportional to that of 24 h urinary excretion.     

Effect of high-oil corn or added corn oil on ruminal biohydrogenation of fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid formation in beef steers fed finishing diets

Three Angus steers (410 kg) cannulated in the proximal duodenum were used in a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square to evaluate the effects of dietary lipid level and oil source on ruminal biohydrogenation and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) outflow. Dietary treatments included: 1) typical corn (TC; 79.2% typical corn), 2) high-oil corn (HOC; 79.2% high-oil corn), and 3) the TC diet with corn oil added to supply an amount of lipid equal to the HOC diet (OIL; 76.9% TC + 2.4% corn oil). Duodenal samples were collected for 4 d following 10-d diet adaptation periods. Data were analyzed with animal, square, period, and treatment in the model and planned, nonorthogonal contrasts were used to test the effects of dietary lipid content (TC vs HOC and OIL) and oil source (HOC vs OIL) on ruminal biohydrogenation. Intake and duodenal flow of total long-chain fatty acids were increased (P < 0.05) by over 63% for diets containing more lipid regardless of oil source. Apparent ruminal dry matter and long chain fatty acid digestibilities were not altered (P > 0.05) by dietary lipid level or oil source. Ruminal biohydrogenation of total and individual 18-carbon unsaturated fatty acids was greater (P < 0.05) for diets with higher lipid content. Biohydrogenation of oleic acid was greater (P < 0.05) for HOC than OIL, but biohydrogenation of linoleic acid was lower (P < 0.05) for HOC than OIL. Duodenal flows of palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and arachidic acids were more than 30% greater (P < 0.05) for diets containing more lipid. Flow of all trans-octadecenoic acids was greater (P < 0.05) for diets containing more lipid. Corn oil addition increased (P < 0.05) the flow of trans-10 octadecenoic acid and the trans-10, cis-12 isomer of CLA by threefold compared to feeding high-oil corn. Feeding high-oil corn or adding corn oil to typical corn rations increased intake, biohydrogenation, and duodenal flow of unsaturated long-chain fatty acids. Compared with high-oil corn diets, addition of corn oil increased duodenal flow of trans-10, trans-12 and cis-12 isomers of octadecenoic acid and the trans-10, cis-12 isomer of CLA. The amount of cis-9, trans-11 isomer of conjugated linoleic acid flowing to the duodenum was less than 260 mg/d, a value over 20 times lower than flow of trans-11 vaccenic acid indicating the importance of tissue desaturation for enhanced conjugated linoleic acid content of beef.     

Effect of breed on fatty acid composition and stearoyl-CoA desaturase protein expression in the Semimembranosus muscle and subcutaneous adipose tissue of cattle

The present study investigated (i) the effect of breed on the expression of stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) protein and fatty acid composition in Semimembranosus muscle and subcutaneous adipose tissue of beef cattle and (ii) the relationship between SCD expression, cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content, and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) level. The study was conducted on the following breeds: Longhorn (L), Charolais cross with Holstein–Friesian (CX), Hereford (H), Belted Galloway (BG) and Beef Shorthorn (BS). Significant breed differences in the total fatty acid content, saturated fatty acid (SFA) level, MUFA and n−3 PUFA content were observed in subcutaneous adipose tissue but not in muscle. In the case of CLA, the breed differences were observed in both muscle and subcutaneous adipose tissue, with the highest level in L and the lowest level in H. In the case of subcutaneous adipose tissue, the breed with the highest CLA content (L) also had the highest SCD protein expression. The breed-specific pattern of SCD expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue was similar to the breed-specific pattern of one of the products of an SCD-catalysed reaction, C16:1 (BS < BG < H < CX < L). It has been concluded that (i) the mechanisms regulating SCD protein expression and CLA level in beef cattle are tissue-specific; (ii) breed-specific variations in SCD expression might contribute to breed variations in MUFA and CLA content in subcutaneous adipose tissue but not in Semimembranosus muscle.     

Effect of low vitamin A diets with high-moisture or dry corn on marbling and adipose tissue fatty acid composition of beef steers

Angus-cross steers (n = 165; 295 +/- 16 kg of BW) were used evaluate the effect of low vitamin A diets with high-moisture corn (HMC) or dry corn (DC) on marbling and fatty acid composition. Steers were allotted to 24 pens (7 steers/pen), such that each pen had the same average initial BW. Treatments were randomly allotted to the pens. The experiment had a completely randomized design, with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: low vitamin A (Lo, no supplemental vitamin A) and HMC (LoHMC); LoDC; high vitamin A (Hi, supplemented with 2,200 IU of vitamin A/kg of DM) and HMC (HiHMC); and HiDC. Diets contained 76% corn, 10% corn silage, 11% protein supplement, and 3% soybean oil (DM basis). Samples of feed ingredients were collected for carotenoid analysis. Blood samples were collected for serum retinol determination. Steers were slaughtered after 145 d on feed. Carcass characteristics and LM composition were determined. Samples from the s.c. fat depot were analyzed for fatty acid composition. High-moisture corn had a greater vitamin A content, based on its carotenoid content, than DC (614 vs. 366 IU/kg of DM, P < 0.01). No vitamin A x corn type interactions were detected for feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, or serum, s.c. fat, or liver retinol concentration. Average daily gain, DMI, and G:F were not affected by vitamin A (P > 0.05). Marbling score and USDA quality grade were greater (P < 0.05) in Lo vs. Hi steers. Hot carcass weight, backfat, and yield grade were not affected by the treatments (P > 0.05). Vitamin A and corn type did not affect LM composition (DM, ash, CP, or ether-extractable fat, P > 0.05). Vitamin A supplementation increased (P < 0.06) serum retinol on d 112 and 145 and increased (P < 0.01) liver retinol at slaughter (Lo = 38.7 vs. Hi = 102.9 mug/g). The s.c. fat retinol concentrations were less (P < 0.01) for Lo (0.8 mug/g) than for Hi (1.4 mug/g) at slaughter. Cell diameter of adipocytes in the i.m. depot was not affected by dietary vitamin A (P > 0.05). A vitamin A x corn type interaction was observed (P < 0.05) for the s.c. fat cellularity. Feeding HMC increased the number of cells per square millimeter when Lo diets were fed (LoHMC = 128 vs. LoDC = 100 cells/mm(2), P < 0.05), but not when Hi diets were fed (HiHMC = 109 vs. HiDC = 111 cells/mm(2), P > 0.05). The CLA content of adipose tissue was not affected by the treatments. Regardless of the corn type used, feeding low vitamin A diets for 145 d to Angus-cross steers increased marbling and quality grade without affecting yield grade, animal health, or performance.     

Growth performance,carcass traits,physiochemical characteristics and intramuscular fatty acid composition of finishing Japanese black steers fed soybean curd residue and soy sauce cake

This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary soybean curd residue (SCR) and soy sauce cake (SSC) on the growth performance, carcass traits and physiochemical and intramuscular fatty acid (FA) characteristics in Japanese Black steers. Ten steers (29.7 ± 0.3 months old, 856.6 ± 24.4 kg body weight) were assigned to either treatment C, fed a conventional concentrate or T, fed the test diet including dried SCR and SSC for 3 months. In growth performance, dry matter (DM) intake and average daily gain, and carcass traits did not differ significantly between the treatments. Color of beef was affected by the dietary treatments and meat samples from T showed higher a^* value and chroma than those in C. On FA composition, there was no significant difference between the treatments in neutral lipids, whereas in polar lipids, meat samples from T had higher C16:1 (P < 0.05) and tended to have higher C16:0 (P = 0.05) and C18:1 (P = 0.08), but lower C17:0 (P = 0.098), C18:2 (P = 0.06) and C20:4 (P = 0.07) than those from C. The study suggested that SCR and SSC could be used as a substitute for conventional concentrate and would influence meat color and intramuscular FA composition of polar lipids.     

Effects of supplemental fat on growth performance and quality of beef from steers fed barley-potato product finishing diets: II. Fatty acid composition of muscle and subcutaneous fat

One hundred sixty-eight crossbred steers (317.1 +/- 1.0 kg) were used to evaluate the effects of supplemental fat in finishing diets on the fatty acid composition, including the 9,11 isomer of conjugated linoleic acid, of beef. Steers were allotted within three weight blocks to a randomized complete block design with a 3 x 2 + 1 factorial arrangement of dietary treatments. Main effects were level of yellow restaurant grease (RG; 0, 3, and 6%), and level of alfalfa hay (AH; 3.5 and 7%) with an added treatment containing 6% tallow (T) and 7% AH in barley-based diets containing 15% potato by-product and 7% supplement (all dietary levels are on a DM basis) fed for an average of 165 d. Fatty acids of the LM and s.c. fat from four randomly selected steers per pen were quantified using GC after methylation with sodium methoxide. Dietary treatment did not (P > 0.10) affect total fatty acid (FA) content of the LM (143 +/- 5.2 mg/g) or fat (958 +/- 7.9 mg/g). Myristic acid increased linearly (P < 0.01) with increasing RG from 3.1 to 3.7 +/- 0.1 g/100 g of FA in muscle. Stearic acid increased linearly (P < 0.05) as RG increased in the diet, from 11.4 to 12.9 +/- 0.4 g/100 g of FA in LM and from 9.9 to 12.2 +/- 0.3 g/100 g of FA in fat. Compared with T, steers fed 6% RG had more (P < 0.05) oleic acid in LM (42.7 vs. 40.3 +/- 0.5 g/100g FA) and in fat (43.0 vs. 40.9 +/- 0.5 g/100g FA). The cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) increased quadratically (P < 0.01) with increasing dietary RG in LM from 0.45 to 0.64 to 0.62 +/- 0.03 g/100 g of FA and increased in fat from 0.61 to 0.84 to 0.83 +/- 0.04 g/100 g of FA. Moreover, cis-9, trans-11 CLA was higher (P < 0.05) in fat from steers fed RG compared with T (0.81 vs. 0.69 +/- 0.04 g/100 g of FA), and tended to be higher (P = 0.07) in muscle (0.62 vs. 0.54 +/- 0.03 g/100 g of FA. Feeding yellow restaurant grease increased content of cis-9, trans-11 CLA in beef without an increase total FA content.     

Effect of ruminal dosing of mechanical stimulating brush on carcass characteristics and fatty acid composition of dressed carcass fat in fattening Holstein steers fed with high-concentrate diets

This experiment was undertaken to examine the effect of dosing of a mechanical stimulating brush (RF) in the rumen on dressed carcass characteristics and on the fatty acid composition of dressed carcass fat in fattening beef cattle. The fattening trial was carried out with high-concentrate diets (organic cell wall contents: 27.5% on a dry mater basis) in eight Holstein steers (12 months of age). Four of the experimental animals were orally dosed with three RF/head (RF group); the other four animals without RF dosing were allotted as the control group. Grass hay was fed to the animals (0.2 kg/head/day) until 19 months of age. Concentrate diet was given ad libitum during the experiment. There were no statistical differences between the RF group and the control group in yield score and meat quality score of dressed carcass characteristics. Regarding fatty acid composition of dressed carcass fat, the proportion of C18 : 2 fatty acids in subcutaneous fat in the RF group was greater ( P  < 0.05) than that in the control group. C16 : 0 fatty acids in kidney fat in the RF group was lower ( P  < 0.05), and C18 : 2 fatty acids and total unsaturated fatty acids of 18 carbon number in kidney fat in the RF group were higher ( P  < 0.05) compared with the control group. The proportion of C18 : 2 fatty acids in rib eye fat in the RF group was greater ( P  < 0.05) than that in the control group. C18 : 1 fatty acids, C18 : 2 fatty acids and total unsaturated fatty acids of 18 carbon number in rib fat in the RF group were greater ( P  < 0.05) than those in the control group. The results suggest that in fattening Holstein steers fed with high-concentrate diets, the effect of ruminal RF dosing on dressed carcass characteristics is not significant, but the proportion of unsaturated fatty acid of carcass fat is increased.     

Fatty acid composition,fat deposition,lipogenic gene expression and performance of broiler fed diet supplemented with different sources of oil

The present study assessed the effect of feeding palm oil (PO), sunflower oil (SO) and their combination on performance, fat deposition, fatty acid composition and lipogenic gene expression of broilers reared for 42 days. A total of 144 1‐day‐old broilers (Cobb500) were randomly allotted into four treatment diets with each having six replicates of six chicks in each replicate following a completely randomized design. Live weight gain and feed efficiency was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in birds fed with a combination of oil sources compared to controls. Birds fed with the combination of oil and SO alone had higher carcass yield and lower abdominal fat. Higher (P < 0.05) concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) and lower concentrations of palmitic acid and saturated fatty acid (SFA) was found in birds fed SO alone and combinations of SO and PO. Furthermore, the outcomes showed that birds fed diet supplemented with SO and the combination of SO and PO down‐regulated gene expression of key hepatic lipogenic enzymes of fatty acids synthase (FAS), acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC) and stearoyl‐CoA desaturase (SCD). These findings suggest that the diet containing the combination of 2% PO and 4% SO may reduce hepatic lipogenesis, as well as lower abdominal fat content of broilers.     

Effects of the fattening period on the fatty acid composition of fat deposits and free amino acid and inosinic acid contents of the longissimus muscle in carcasses of Japanese Black steers

The effects of the fattening period on carcass characteristics, fatty acid composition of fat deposits, and muscle free amino acid (FAA) and inosinic acid (IMP) contents were evaluated in Japanese Black steers. Ten castrated, 10-month-old calves derived from the same sire were divided into five to be slaughtered at the age of 30 months after a 20-month fattening period (20-month group) and five to be slaughtered at the age of 34 months after a 24-month fattening period (24-month group). Concerning the fatty acid composition of subcutaneous fat, the percentage of palmitoleic acid was higher ( P  < 0.05) in the 24- than in the 20-month group, but no difference was noted in any other fatty acids. For intermuscular fat, no difference was observed in any fatty acids. The percentages of oleic acid and total monounsaturated fatty acid of intramuscular and perinephric fat were higher ( P  < 0.05) in the 24- than in the 20-month group. Of the FAAs in the longissimus thoracis muscle, the threonine and tyrosine contents were lower ( P  < 0.05) in the 24- than in the 20-month group. The IMP content was higher ( P  < 0.05) in the 24- than in the 20-month group, suggesting an effect of prolongation of the fattening period.     

Calcium salts of fatty acids with varying fatty acid profiles in diets of feedlot-finished Bos indicus bulls: impacts on intake,digestibility, performance,and carcass and meat characteristics

We hypothesized that the inclusion of calcium salts of fatty acid (CSFA) into the diets and the fatty acid (FA) profile of the supplements would impact performance and meat characteristics of Bos indicus bulls. Hence, the objective was to evaluate the effects of CSFA profiles on intake, body weight (BW), carcass, and meat characteristics of feedlot-finished B indicus bulls. Fifty-three Nellore bulls [initial BW 315 ± 5.9 kg and 20 ± 2 mo] were used. At the beginning, 6 bulls were randomly chosen and slaughtered for determination of their BW composition, and the remaining 47 bulls were evaluated during a 140-d experimental period. The bulls were placed in individual pens, blocked according to initial BW and randomly allocated to 1 of the 3 following treatments: (1) control diet containing sugarcane bagasse, ground corn, citrus pulp, peanut meal, and mineral–vitamin mix (CON), (2) CON with the addition of 3.3% of CSFA from soybean oil (CSO), or (3) CON with the addition of a mixture of 3.3% of CSFA from palm, soybean, and cottonseed oils (CPSCO). Diets were offered ad libitum and formulated to be isonitrogenous. Bulls supplemented with CSFA had a greater (P < 0.01) final BW, dry matter intake, average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency (FE), and FA intake vs. CON. Among carcass parameters, CSFA-supplemented bulls had greater (P < 0.01) carcass ether extract concentration vs. CON bulls. When the CSFA profile was evaluated (CSO vs. CPSCO), CPSCO bulls had a better (P ≤ 0.03) FE, carcass ADG, and hot carcass weight (HCW) vs. CSO bulls. The FA intakes differed among CSFA treatments, as the total saturated, palmitic, and oleic FA intakes were greater for CPSCO (P < 0.01), whereas lower intakes of total unsaturated and polyunsaturated FA (P < 0.01) were observed for CPSCO vs. CSO. Samples from the Longissimus muscle contained greater palmitoleic (P = 0.01) and reduced linoleic (P = 0.02) FA concentrations in CSFA-supplemented bulls vs. CON bulls. In agreement with the FA intakes, CPSCO-supplemented bulls had a greater (P ≤ 0.05) unsaturated FA concentration vs. CSO in Longissimus muscle. In summary, CSFA supplementation improved the performance of finishing B. indicus bulls vs. CON. Moreover, the inclusion of CSFA from palm, soybean, and cottonseed oil benefited the FE, carcass ADG, and HCW compared with the inclusion of CSFA from soybean oil, demonstrating the potential of specific FA for improving the performance and meat quality of B. indicus bulls.     

Effect of intake of linoleic acid and α‐linolenic acid levels on conversion into long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in backfat and in intramuscular fat of growing pigs

A study was conducted to determine the effect of two levels of linoleic acid (LA) intake at either high or low α‐linolenic acid (ALA) intake on their conversion and subsequent deposition into long‐chain (20–22 C‐atoms) polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC PUFA) in muscle and backfat in growing pigs. In a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, 32 gilts from 8 litters were assigned to one of four dietary treatments, varying in LA and ALA intakes. Low ALA and LA intakes were 0.15 and 1.31 g/(kg BW^0.75/day), respectively, and high ALA and LA intakes were 1.48 and 2.65 g/(kg BW^0.75/day) respectively. There was a close positive relation between intake of ALA and the concentration of ALA in backfat and in intramuscular fat. Dietary ALA did not affect the concentration of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), but increased docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) in backfat. High ALA intake did not significantly affect DHA but significantly increased EPA, 20:3 n‐3 and DPA concentrations in intramuscular fat. The n‐3 LC PUFA proportion in backfat was increased from approximately 1–3%, which may be useful to enrich meat with these fatty acids. The effect of ALA intake on n‐3 LC PUFA was suppressed by LA intake. Dietary ALA suppressed the concentration of n‐6 LC PUFA in blood plasma by more than 50%. When compared at equal incremental dose, the inhibiting effect of ALA on blood arachidonic acid was stronger than the stimulating effect of LA as precursor.     

Carcass characteristics,chemical and fatty acid composition and oxidative stability of meat from broiler chickens fed black cumin (Nigella sativa) seeds

A study was conducted to investigate the dietary supplementation of black cumin seeds (BCS) on carcass characteristics, chemical and fatty acid (FA) composition and antioxidant properties of thigh and breast meat of broiler chickens at 42 days of age. Three hundred sixty 1‐day‐old broiler chickens were allocated to five dietary treatment groups (each group containing eight replicate pens with each pen containing nine broiler chickens): basal diet (control; CON), CON + 0.05 g/kg of bacitracin methylene disalicylate (AB), CON + 5 g/kg of BCS (low dose of BCS), CON + 10 g/kg of BCS (medium dose of BCS) and CON + 20 g/kg of BCS (high dose of BCS). Weight (g) of slaughtered birds (p = .03), hot carcass (p = .007), breast (p = .03), thigh (p < .001), wing (p = .06), neck (p = .01), liver (p = .09), abdominal fat (p = .01) and total edible parts (p = .01) increased or tended to increase due to BCS supplementation compared with the CON. The concentrations of dry matter, crude protein and ether extract in chicken thigh and breast meat increased (p = .038 to <.001) with increasing doses of BCS in diets. The ferric reducing antioxidant activity in blood and meat increased linearly with increasing doses of BCS in the diets. However, peroxide values in meat were not affected by BCS and AB on both days 1 and 7 of storage at 4°C. Supplementation of BCS increased the concentrations of C14:1, C18:3n‐6, C20:1, C20:2 FA and PUFA linearly (p < .05) and tended to increase (p = .098) the concentration of C18:2cis linearly. However, the concentrations of C16:0 and C16:1 FA decreased linearly with increasing doses of BCS in the diets. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of BCS at 20 g/kg diet may improve slaughter body weight, beneficial FA concentrations and antioxidant properties of broiler chicken meat.     

Effects of dietary vitamin E and fat supplementation in growing-finishing swine fed to a heavy slaughter weight of 150 kg: II. Tissue fatty acid profile,vitamin E concentrations,and antioxidant capacity of plasma and tissue

The study aimed to assess the effects of vitamin E (VE) supplementation and fat source on fatty acid (FA) composition, VE concentrations, and antioxidant capacity in plasma and tissues of pigs fed to a heavy slaughter weight (150 kg). A total of 64 pigs (32 barrows, 32 gilts; 28.41 ± 0.83 kg) were blocked by sex and weight, and randomly assigned to one of eight dietary treatments (n = 8 per treatment) in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement. Fat sources included corn starch (CS), 5% tallow (TW), 5% distiller’s corn oil (DCO), and 5% coconut oil (CN); VE supplementation levels were 11 and 200 ppm. Five-phase diets were formulated to meet requirement estimates of NRC (2012) and fed to pigs for each period of 25 kg from 25 to 150 kg. Increasing VE supplementation level increased C16:1 (P < 0.05) content but decreased C20:0 (P < 0.05) content in backfat and belly fat, while in liver, it increased C17:0 (P < 0.05) but decreased C18:0 (P < 0.05). Compared to the pigs fed the CS diet, the pigs fed the CN diet had greater (P < 0.05) content of total saturated FA, the pigs fed the DCO diet had greater (P < 0.05) content of total polyunsaturated FA content and iodine value, and the pigs fed the TW diet had greater (P < 0.05) content of total monounsaturated FA in backfat, belly fat, and liver. Plasma VE concentrations increased linearly (P < 0.05) with increasing length of feeding but faster (P < 0.05) in the pigs fed the CN and TW diets compared with the CS and DCO diets within the 200 ppm VE level; the pigs fed the DCO diet had the highest plasma VE concentrations (P < 0.05) from Phase 2 to Phase 5 within the 11 ppm VE level. The VE concentrations in liver and loin muscle (P < 0.05) increased with increasing dietary VE level from 11 to 200 ppm, but it was not affected by dietary fat source. There was no effect of VE supplementation and fat source on antioxidant capacity in plasma and liver except that pigs fed the DCO diet had greater liver SOD activity (P < 0.05) than the pigs fed the CN diet. In conclusion, dietary VE supplementation did not affect FA profile in backfat, belly fat, and liver consistently, while dietary FA composition with different fat sources affected much of the FA profile in backfat, belly fat, and liver. The higher level of VE supplementation increased liver and muscle VE concentrations and dietary fat sources affected plasma VE concentrations differently (P < 0.05), wherein the TW and CN diets increased the VE absorption greater than the DCO diet.