Effect of a rumen-protected conjugated linoleic acid mixture on hepatic lipid metabolism in heifers

This study was performed to assess the effects of rumen-protected conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on hepatic lipid metabolism in heifers. In particular, it was of interest whether feeding CLA causes development of fatty liver as observed recently in mice. Thirty-six growing heifers with an initial body weight of 185 kg were allotted to three treatment groups and fed daily 250 g of different rumen-protected fats for 16 weeks: The control group received 250 g of a CLA-free control fat, the CLA100 group received 100 g of a CLA fat containing 2.4% of cis-9, trans-11 CLA and 2.1% of trans-10, cis-12 CLA and 150 g control fat and the CLA250 group received 250 g of the CLA fat. CLA supplementation had no effect on animal performance parameters, liver weight and hepatic triglyceride concentration. Moreover, mRNA expression of hepatic genes involved in lipogenesis, β-oxidation and fatty acid transport was not influenced by dietary CLA. The fatty acid composition of hepatic total lipids, with particular consideration of ratios of fatty acids indicative of Δ9-, Δ6- and Δ5-desaturation, was also less influenced by dietary CLA. In conclusion, the study shows that dietary rumen-protected CLA has less effect on hepatic lipid metabolism in young heifers and does not induce the development of a fatty liver such as in mice.     

Trans10, cis12 conjugated linoleic acid increases triacylglycerol accumulation in goat mammary epithelial cells in vitro

Trans10, cis12 conjugated linoleic acid (t10c12‐CLA) is well‐established in decreasing milk fat content and causing milk fat depression (MFD) in dairy cattle and goats. However, the detailed mechanisms of its effect are not completely understood. Therefore, we used goat mammary epithelial cells (GMECs) to further study the molecular mechanisms whereby t10c12‐CLA regulates milk fat synthesis. The optimal concentration of t10c12‐CLA (100 μmol/L) for cell culture was determined through a cell vitality and morphology assay, and evaluation of abundance of apoptosis‐related proteins. Oil red O stain indicated that t10c12‐CLA increased concentration of cytoplasmic lipid droplets. Furthermore, t10c12‐CLA increased the intracellular triacylglycerol (TG) content (P < 0.05). Among 16 genes related to lipid metabolism that were measured by quantitative real‐time PCR, t10c12‐CLA down‐regulated (P < 0.05) genes involved in de novo fatty acid synthesis including FASN, ACACA and SCD1, and also down‐regulated the protein expression of FASN and SCD1 but up‐regulated (P < 0.05) the expression of CD36 and ADRP. Overall, the data indicate that a side effect of de novo fatty acid synthesis inhibition by t10c12‐CLA is the up‐regulation of fatty acid uptake and accumulation of lipid droplets in GMECs. The biologic reason for such an effect merits further study.     

Dose response of rumen‐protected conjugated linoleic acid supplementation to fattening bulls and heifers on growth,and carcass and meat quality

We investigated the influence of rumen‐protected conjugated linoleic acid (rpCLA) on growth performances, and carcass and meat quality traits in beef. Twenty‐four young bulls and 30 heifers obtained from double‐muscled beef sires and dairy cows were fed a low‐protein ration (110 g/kg DM of crude protein) supplemented with 0, 8 or 80 g/d of a commercial rpCLA product. The animals were monthly weighed and scored for body muscularity and fatness. Blood samples were collected after 140 days on feed. Animals were slaughtered when they reached average in vivo fatness scores of around 2.5 (heifers) and 2.0 (bulls) points respectively. At slaughter, carcasses, various organs and parts of the gastrointestinal tract were weighed; the 5th rib was dissected and its tissue and muscle chemical composition was determined. The rpCLA had little influence on growth performance but decreased the blood urea content by 28% (p < 0.01). The rpCLA × sex interactions for daily gain (p < 0.05), conformation scores (p < 0.01), and blood creatinine content (p < 0.05) suggest that males were more responsive to rpCLA than females when fed a low‐protein ration, probably because of the metabolic protein‐sparing effect of CLA. Only slight differences were observed in carcass weight and quality at slaughter. The results indicate that the response of beef cattle to rpCLA is dependent on sex or on their propensity for lean and fat accretion. It is also possible that counteracting feedback mechanisms compensate for the influence of rpCLA administration over the course of growth.     

Effectiveness of short-term feeding strategies for altering conjugated linoleic acid content of beef

A steer finishing trial was performed to determine the effect of short-term dietary regimens on conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content of muscle tissues. The experimental design was an incomplete 3 x 2 factorial, with three levels of soybean oil (SBO; 0, 4, and 8% of diet DM) and two levels of forage (20 vs. 40% of diet DM). Forty Angus x Hereford steers averaging 504 +/- 29.0 kg were allotted randomly to one of four treatments for the last 6 wk of the finishing period. Treatments were: 80:20 concentrate:forage control diet (C); 80:20 concentrate:forage + 4% SBO (C4); 60:40 concentrate:forage + 4% SBO (F4); and 60:40 concentrate:forage + 8% SBO (F8). After 42 d on the experimental diets, steers were sacrificed and samples were collected from the chuck, loin, and round muscle groups. Fatty acid (FA; mg/100 mg of FA) composition was determined by gas-liquid chromatography. Data were statistically analyzed with mixed models procedures. The performance and carcass quality model included the effects of SBO and forage. The model for FA composition included the effects of SBO, forage, muscle group, and interactions. Orthogonal contrasts were used to determine linear effects of SBO. There were no differences in growth performance among treatments (P > 0.05). Increasing dietary SBO linearly decreased dressing percent (P = 0.04), and tended to linearly decrease marbling score (P = 0.12) and quality grade (P = 0.08). The only CLA isomer detected in tissue samples was cis-9,trans-11. Addition of SBO to diets linearly increased linoleic acid (18:2n-6; P = 0.04) and tended to linearly increase linolenic acid (18:3n-3; P = 0.10) in muscle tissues. The CLA in lean tissues was decreased (P = 0.005) with SBO-containing diets. These findings suggest that increased PUFA may limit ruminal production of CLA and trans-vaccenic acid (VA) and/or may depress stearoyl-CoA desaturase expression or activity in lean tissues, which in turn limits CLA formation and accretion in tissues. Increasing dietary forage tended to increase 18:0, 18:2n-6, CLA, and 18:3n-3 (P < 0.15), suggesting that increased forage may mitigate toxic effects of PUFA on ruminal biohydrogenation, thereby increasing the pool of CLA and VA available for CLA formation and accretion in tissues. Short-term feeding of elevated SBO and forage levels can alter FA profiles in muscle tissues.     

Evaluation of conjugated linoleic acid and dietary antibiotics as growth promotants in weanling pigs.

An experiment was conducted to determine the efficacy of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) as a growth promotant in weanling swine. Weanling pigs (n = 192; 7.6 kg and 29 d of age) were randomly assigned to four treatments that were arranged as a 2 x 2 factorial. Concentrations of dietary CLA (0 or 0.6%) and antibiotics (+/-) constituted the main effect variables. Dietary CLA treatments consisted of a 1% addition of an oil containing 60% CLA isomers or 1% soybean oil, and dietary antibiotic treatments were antibiotics or no antibiotics. The experimental diets were fed for 9 wk in four phases (1, wk 1; 2, wk 2 and 3; 3, wk 4 through 6; and 4, wk 7 through 9), after which all pigs were fed identical medicated diets for the duration of the finishing phase. Live weights were recorded at wk 17 postweaning and at marketing to determine any residual effects of dietary treatments on finisher ADG and days to market. Medicated diets fed during phases 1 and 2 contained 55 mg carbadox/kg; during phase 3 contained 299 mg tilmicosin/kg; and during phase 4 contained 110 mg tylosin and 110 mg sulfamethazine/kg. Pigs fed medicated diets had higher overall ADG than pigs fed unmedicated diets for wk 0 through 9 (P < 0.03). Gain:feed (G:F) was greater for pigs fed medicated diets than for pigs fed unmedicated diets during phase 1 (P < 0.03) and for the duration of the nursery phase (P < 0.03). There were no effects of CLA on ADG, ADFI, or G:F. There were no residual effects of nursery CLA or antibiotics on finisher ADG and days to market. Blood samples collected from a subset of pigs (n = 72) at the completion of phases 2, 3, and 4 were assayed for serum IGF-I and antibody concentrations to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. There was a tendency for pigs fed medicated diets to have greater IGF-I concentrations than pigs fed unmedicated diets at the completion of phase 4 (P < 0.06). Pigs fed CLA had greater antibody titers (P < 0.02) to Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae at d 63 than pigs fed diets without CLA. These results indicate that feeding 0.6% dietary CLA did not enhance growth performance in weanling swine and that the use of dietary antibiotics can increase production efficiency in nursery pigs. Furthermore, there were no interactions between CLA and dietary antibiotics on the variables addressed in this study.     

Effects of supplemental rumen-protected conjugated linoleic acid or linoleic acid on feedlot performance, carcass quality, and leptin concentrations in beef cattle

Thirty-six Angus x Hereford heifers (365 kg) were used to determine effects of dietary lipid supplementation from two sources during the final 32 or 60 d of feeding on serum and adipose tissue leptin concentrations, animal performance, and carcass characteristics. Following an initial feeding period of 56 d, heifers were fed one of three diets in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement: 1) basal diet, 2) basal diet plus 4% (DM basis) corn oil, or 3) basal diet plus 2% (DM basis) rumen-protected conjugated linoleic acid (a mixture of Ca-salts of palm oil fatty acids with 31% conjugated linoleic acid). Jugular blood samples were collected at 28-d intervals (d 28 to 118) and serum subsequently harvested for leptin quantification via RIA. Real-time ultrasound measurements were collected at 28-d intervals across time on feed. At slaughter, samples were obtained from various adipose depots. Data were analyzed with dietary treatment, length of supplementation, adipose depot (when appropriate), and all two- and three-way (when appropriate) interactions in the repeated measures model. Measures of feedlot performance, including ADG, DMI, and gain:feed did not differ (P > 0.23) with dietary treatment or supplementation length. Heifers supplemented with corn oil tended (P < 0.07) to have higher marbling scores following 32 d of treatment than those supplemented with rumen-protected conjugated linoleic acid, with controls intermediate. Quality grade and hot carcass weight did not differ (P > 0.15) with treatment or length of supplementation. Leptin concentrations were higher (P < 0.05) from d 57 to 118 on feed than the initial period (d 0 to 56) of dietary adaptation when all animals received the basal diet. Circulating leptin concentrations were not affected by dietary treatment. However, leptin concentrations in adipose tissues were greater (P < 0.05) for heifers supplemented with corn oil than either control or rumen-protected conjugated linoleic acid diets, which did not differ. Compared with adipose tissues from rumen-protected conjugated linoleic acid-supplemented animals, tissues from heifers fed corn oil contained 68% greater leptin concentration. Correlations between performance, carcass traits, and serum leptin concentrations were low. Serum leptin concentrations across time on feed were not associated with carcass and performance data, including ADG, DMI, and gain:feed. Based on these data, concentrations of leptin are not related to indices of feedlot performance and carcass quality in beef cattle.     

不同蛋白源饲料对秦川肉牛屠宰性能及牛肉品质的影响

[目的]试验旨在研究不同蛋白源饲料对秦川肉牛日增重、屠宰性能及肉品质的影响。[方法]选择20头体重相近、健康状况良好的12月龄左右的秦川肉牛(母牛)为试验动物,随机将试验牛分为5组,各组分别饲喂5种不同精饲料。试验结束后,对照组(31%豆粕组)、试验Ⅰ组(36%菜籽粕组)和试验Ⅳ组(42%紫苏饼组)各选3头参试牛进行屠宰。[结果]试验Ⅳ组的全期总增重、平均日增重和屠宰率均显著高于对照组(P<0.05);试验Ⅳ组背最长肌中干物质和粗蛋白含量均高于其他两组,但各组间均差异不显著(P>0.05);对照组和试验Ⅰ组大理石花纹均是3级,试验Ⅳ组大理石花纹是4级。[结论]本试验条件下,精饲料中添加42%的紫苏饼能够提高肉牛日增重和屠宰率,能够提高牛肉中氨基酸的含量和粗蛋白水平。     

Effects of dietary supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid on fatty acid composition and lipid oxidation in chicken breast meat

We investigated the effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on fatty acid composition and lipid oxidation in breast meat of broiler chickens. Broiler chickens (28-day-old females) were fed diets containing experimental oils at 20 g/kg diet for 28 days. The experimental oils consisted of either a 2:0, 1:1, or a 0:2 (wt : wt) ratio of safflower oil (high linoleic acid content) to a commercial CLA mixture. In this study, dietary CLA supplementation significantly increased the composition and content of CLA in chicken meat. The predominant CLA in meat from birds with supplemented diets was the cis -9, trans -11 isomer. The proportion of saturated fatty acid in meat significantly increased with increasing CLA supplementation, with a corresponding decrease in monounsaturated fatty acid. Dietary CLA also reduced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values in raw meat during storage at 4°C for 5 days. These results provide evidence that CLA feeding is a practical strategy not only for adding nutritional benefits to chicken meat but also for improving meat quality including oxidative stability.     

Effects of supplemental rumen-protected conjugated linoleic acid or corn oil on fatty acid composition of adipose tissues in beef cattle

Thirty-six Angus x Hereford heifers (365 +/- 60 kg) were used to determine the effects of supplemental dietary lipid sources on fatty acid composition of i.m., perianal (p.a.), and s.c. lipid depots. Lipid was supplied to diets as either corn oil or a rumen-protected conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) salt for two specific treatment periods of either the final 32 or 60 d on feed. Following an initial 56-d feeding period, heifers were fed one of three dietary treatments (DM basis): 1) basal diet containing 88% concentrate and 12% grass hay (CON), 2) basal diet plus 4% corn oil (OIL), or 3) basal diet plus 2% rumen-protected CLA salt (RPCLA) containing 31% CLA. The trans-10, cis-12 CLA concentration was greatest (P < 0.05) for heifers fed RPCLA and OIL diets and least (P < 0.05) for CON, regardless of time on dietary treatment. Heifers fed supplemental RPCLA had greater (P < 0.05) total CLA content than either CON- or OIL-fed heifers. Adipose tissue concentration of trans-11 vaccenic acid (TVA) was less (P < 0.05) for CON than OIL or RPCLA, which did not differ (P > 0.05). Percentages of C18:1 trans-10 were least (P < 0.05) in i.m. lipid compared with p.a. and s.c., which did not differ (P > 0.05). Following 60 d of lipid supplementation, heifers fed OIL and RPCLA had lower (P < 0.05) concentrations of oleic acid and total monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) compared with CON. The ratio of cis-9, trans-11 CLA:TVA was higher (P < 0.05) for heifers fed 60 vs. 32 d, but did not differ (P > 0.05) between adipose depots. Feeding OIL increased (P < 0.05) adipose concentration of C18:2 fatty acid, whereas feeding RPCLA increased (P < 0.05) total CLA isomers by 22%. Intramuscular lipid contained the lowest (P < 0.05) percentage of cis-9, trans-11 CLA, total CLA, C18:1 cis-9, C18:1 trans-10, and TVA. Total CLA and cis-9, trans-11 CLA isomers were increased (P < 0.05) in p.a. and s.c. adipose depots, whereas i.m. adipose tissue contained increased (P < 0.05) amounts of total PUFA. Results from this study indicate that short-term lipid supplementation to feedlot cattle can increase adipose tissue CLA concentrations, but only marginally (8.3 to 17.5%). Moreover, observed decreases in oleic acid and total MUFA concentrations of adipose tissues from heifers fed rumen-protected CLA or corn oil suggest that lipid supplementation may decrease delta9 desaturase activity in adipose tissues, which in turn would lower the conversion of TVA to cis-9, trans-11 CLA isomer.     

高含量共轭亚油酸豆油在肉鸡生产中的应用

本试验选择1800羽艾维茵(AA)肉鸡,随机分为2个处理,每处理3个重复,每重复300羽鸡,以研究在日粮中添加2.0%豆油和2.0%高含量共轭亚油酸豆油对AA肉鸡生产性能及饲养效益的影响,目的是验证自行研制的高含量CLA豆油在肉鸡中的作用效果及在肉鸡生产中应用的可行性,试验期为49d。结果表明:试验组日增重、育成率和毛利润等指标分别比对照组提高了10.1%、12.83%和36.36%,料肉比却降低了11.79%。表明在肉鸡饲料中添加高含量CLA豆油饲喂肉鸡,具有促进生长、增强抗病力、提高育成率和经济效益的积极作用。     

瘤胃保护共轭亚油酸和亚油酸对奶牛产奶性能的影响

选择健康、泌乳月份与产奶量相近的多胎荷斯坦泌乳牛20头,随机分成5组,每组4头,研究日粮中添加商业来源的瘤胃保护共轭亚油酸钙盐(Ca-CLA)同时添加自然来源亚油酸(葵花油)对奶牛生产性能的影响。试验期为52d。对照组基础日粮为60%粗饲料(苜蓿、羊草、青贮)和40%精料(以DM为基础),处理组在对照组日粮基础上分别添加Ca-CLA100g/d·头(CLA)、葵花油350g/d·头(Sunf);Ca-CLA100g/d·头 葵花油350g/d·头(CLA Sunf),Ca-CLA50g/d·头 葵花油175g/d·头(1/2CLA 1/2Sunf)。结果表明:在奶牛日粮中,单独添加自然来源亚油酸产奶量较对照组差异不显著(P>0.05),而单独添加共轭亚油酸钙盐或与自然来源亚油酸高低不同剂量添加产奶量较对照组都分别显著提高2.20%、9.95%、11.16%,无论单独添加自然来源亚油酸或Ca-CLA或二者以高低不同剂量同时添加,牛奶的乳脂率较对照组都分别显著降低15.0%,6.24%,21.74%,14.35%。总之,奶牛日粮中同时添加Ca-CLA和自然来源亚油酸能显著提高产奶量,降低乳脂率,并且,减少Ca-CLA的添加量同时添加自然来源亚油酸可以达到高剂量添加Ca-CLA相同的效果。     

Effects of supplemental rumen-protected conjugated linoleic acid or corn oil on lipid content and palatability in beef cattle

Thirty-six Angus x Hereford heifers were used in a 3 x 2 factorial (3 dietary treatments; 2 supplementation times) to examine the effect of dietary lipid supplementation on lipid oxidation, lipid composition, and palatability of ribeye steaks and ground beef. Lipid was supplied in the diets as corn oil or a partially rumen-protected CLA salt for 2 specific treatment periods of the final 32 or 60 d on feed, corresponding to a total time on feed of 89 or 118 d. After an initial 56-d feeding period (basal diet), the heifers were fed 1 of 3 dietary treatments (DM basis): 1) a basal diet containing 88% concentrate and 12% grass hay (CON), 2) the basal diet plus 4% corn oil (OIL), or 3) the basal diet plus 2% partially rumen-protected CLA (RPCLA) containing 31% CLA. Heifers were randomly allotted to dietary treatments at the initiation of the study and fed individually. At 48 h postmortem, the right forequarter of each carcass was fabricated into retail cuts. Steaks (2.54-cm thick) were obtained from the posterior end of the ribeye roll (NAMP 112), and beef trim was ground for all subsequent analyses. Dietary treatment did not affect (P > 0.05) lipid oxidation in ground beef or ribeye steaks. Total trans-octadecenoate fat and trans-10 octadecenoic acid content in ribeye steaks increased (P < 0.05) with RPCLA compared with CON. Total CLA and the cis-9 trans-11 isomer of CLA contents in ribeye steaks were unchanged (P > 0.05) by lipid supplementation. In ground beef, RPCLA supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the amount of trans fat and trans-10 octadecenoic acid compared with CON or OIL; supplementation of RPCLA increased (P < 0.05) the amount of CLA cis-9 trans-11 isomer and total CLA. Lipid supplementation did not alter (P > 0.05) off-flavor ratings in ground beef or ribeye steaks. Supplementation of corn oil increased (P < 0.05) total PUFA content of ribeye steaks compared with CON and RPCLA. Dietary RPCLA supplementation increased the amount of trans fat per serving (85.5 g, broiled) by 110 and 88% in ribeye steak and ground beef, respectively, and CLA cis-9 trans-11 by 58% in ground beef compared with CON. Supplementing OIL or RPCLA resulted in minimal changes in lipid oxidation and sensory attributes of steaks and ground beef.     

Myelodysplasia as a cause of hindlimb ataxia in two beef calves

Myelodysplasia is a general term referring to abnormal development of the spinal cord. Unless associated with vertebral malformations, it can be difficult to distinguish clinically from other causes of spinal cord disease. These case reports describe the clinical and pathological findings in two calves with a distinctive non-progressive pelvic limb ataxia. The syndrome was observed in two calves on a large, extensively managed beef cattle property near Richmond, north Queensland. Both calves had similar clinical signs, including hindlimb ataxia with swaying of the pelvis and a well-coordinated bilateral hopping-like action. The differential diagnoses are discussed. A focal or diffuse myelodysplasia should be suspected in calves that have exhibited a non-progressive hindlimb ataxia from birth.     

日粮中添加植物油对延边黄牛牛肉中共轭亚油酸含量的影响

本研究通过在延边黄牛育肥牛日粮中添加不同水平的混合植物油,探讨植物油对延边黄牛牛肉中共轭亚油酸(CLA)含量的影响.试验采用单因子随机区组设计,选择体重相近的健康延边黄牛(公牛)16头,按体重随机分为4组,每组4头.对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组在基础日粮中分别添加4%、5%、6%(以精料为基础)的混合植物油,试验期为88 d.混合植物油以豆油、红花油和葵花油.按55%、25%和20%的比例混合而成.试验结果表明:日粮添加4%、5%和6%植物油与对照组相比,牛肉中的共轭亚油酸(c9,t11)含量显著提高(P<0.05),4%、5%、6%植物油组分别比对照组提高了275%、287.5%、325%,并随植物油水平提高呈上升趋势;各试验组共轭亚油酸(t10,c12)含量均高于对照组,但差异不显著(P0.05);牛肉中亚油酸(C18∶2)和亚麻酸(C18∶3)含量极显著高于对照组(P<0.01),4%、5%、6%植物油组亚油酸含量分别比对照组提高了52.38%、41.74%、46.50%,亚麻酸含量分别比对照组提高了105.88%、47.06%、52.94%;油酸(C18∶1)含量.各试验组均高于对照组,但差异不显著(P0.05),随植物油添加水平的提高呈上升趋势;不饱和脂肪酸含量,各试验组均高于对照组,随植物油添加水平的提高呈上升趋势,其中6%植物油组与对照组差异显著(P<0.05);饱和脂肪酸含量各试验组均高于对照组但差异不显著(P0.05).     

Effects of supplemental conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) on fresh and post‐thaw sperm quality of Holstein bulls

This study was designed to investigate the effects of feeding‐protected conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on the semen production and sperm freezability in Holstein bulls. Twelve bulls were randomly assigned to two groups (n = 6 per group). Bulls received the normal diet (control group) or the normal diet top‐dressed with 50 g of CLA (treated group) for 10 weeks. The control group received 40 g/day calcium soap of fatty acid. Fresh and post‐thaw semen quality was assessed on ejaculates collected at the 0, 4, 6, 8 and 10 week of supplementation. Semen evaluations including sperm concentration, motion characteristics (subjective and computer‐assisted), viability (Eosin–Nigrosin), membrane integrity (hypo‐osmotic swelling test) and abnormality were conducted. Semen volume, sperm concentration and total sperm output were not affected by dietary treatment (p > .05). The proportion of spermatozoa with abnormal morphology in fresh semen significantly increased (p < .05) in the CLA‐fed group compared to control group. Also, in CLA‐fed group, the proportion of post‐thaw spermatozoa with abnormal morphology at week 10 of trial was significantly higher in CLA than control group (p < .05). Progressive motility tended to be increased in the CLA‐fed group, although dietary supplementation did not affect other CASA parameters or viability in fresh and frozen‐thawed sperm. In this study, CLA supplementation had little positive effect on fresh or post‐thaw sperm quality of Holstein bulls.     

High‐level exogenous trans10, cis12 conjugated linoleic acid plays an anti‐lipogenesis role in bovine mammary epithelial cells

Primary bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) were treated by 0, 37.5, 75, 112.5, 150 μmol/L trans10, cis12 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) to evaluate the effects of different level trans10, cis12 CLA on lipogenesis in BMEC. Addition of 75–150 μmol/L trans10, cis12 CLA reduced significantly the triacylglycerol (TAG) content (P < 0.05), but did not have inhibiting action on cell proliferation (P > 0.05). Treatment with 150 μmol/L trans10, cis12 CLA for 48 h resulted in a 17.1% reduction (P < 0.0001) of medium chain fatty acids (MCFA, C14 < C < C16), a 26.5% reduction (P < 0.0001) of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) and a corresponding reduction of the mRNA abundance of acetyl coenzyme A (acetylCoA) carboxylase (ACC) (P = 0.046), fatty acid synthase (FAS) (P = 0.017) and stearoylCoA desaturase1 (SCD1) (P = 0.002). Another finding was that trans10, cis12 CLA elevated expression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase2 (DGAT2) (P = 0.020) and long chain acylCoA synthetases (ACSL) (P = 0.032). In conclusion, higher trans10, cis12 CLA, not low trans10, cis12 CLA, inhibited milk fat synthesis and changed fatty acid composition by regulating the expression of FAS, ACC, SCD1, DGAT2 and ACSL.     

Age at puberty,total fat and conjugated linoleic acid content of carcass,and circulating metabolic hormones in beef heifers fed a diet high in linoleic acid beginning at four months of age

In the current study, we hypothesized that diets high in linoleic acid would increase conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) tissue content, reduce adiposity and leptin production, and result in an increase in the age at puberty in heifers. Heifers were weaned and blocked by body weight (heavy, n = 10, and light, n = 10) and allocated randomly within block to receive isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets with either added fat (HF, n = 10) or no added fat (C, n = 10) from 4 mo of age until post-pubertal slaughter. Whole sunflower seed (55% oil; 70% linoleic acid) was used as the fat source in HF diets and provided 5% added fat from the start of the study until heifers weighed 250 +/- 8 kg, at which time added fat was increased to 7% of dry matter until slaughter. Body weights were recorded weekly, and blood samples were collected weekly for total cholesterol and hormone analyses. Puberty was confirmed based on serum concentrations of progesterone and ultrasonographic confirmation of corpora lutea. Heifers were slaughtered at 325 +/- 10 d of age, and longissimus muscle between the 9th and 11th rib was collected and analyzed to estimate carcass composition. Subcutaneous and kidney, pelvic, and heart fat were collected at slaughter for fatty acid analyses. The HF heavy group tended (P < 0.10) to reach puberty later than all other groups, and one HF light heifer did not reach puberty during the study. Linoleic acid and cis-9, trans-11 CLA tissue contents were higher (P < 0.03) in HF heifers than controls, but neither total carcass fat nor percentage of dry matter differed by dietary group, although the percentage of protein tended (P < 0.10) to be lower in HF heifers. Mean serum concentrations of leptin did not differ due to diet; however, leptin increased (P < 0.01) linearly as puberty approached. Circulating concentrations of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor I increased or remained relatively constant between wk 2 to 10 of feeding, and then declined (P < 0.01) until the onset of puberty. Serum IGF-I was lower (P < 0.01) in heifers receiving the HF diet. Mean serum concentrations of insulin and total cholesterol increased (P < 0.01) with time in both groups, but only total cholesterol was increased by the HF diet (P < 0.05). Results indicate that diets high in linoleic acid fed to growing beef heifers beginning early in life have little or no effect on total carcass fat, circulating leptin, or age at puberty despite measurable increases in CLA accumulation.