Canola Oil in Lactating Dairy Cow Diets Reduces Milk Saturated Fatty Acids and Improves Its Omega-3 and Oleic Fatty Acid Content.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effect of including canola oil in the diet of dairy cows on milk production, composition, and the nutritional quality of milk fat for human consumption.
Results Summary
The inclusion of 6% canola oil in cows' diets reduced milk yield and certain fatty acids (short-chain, medium-chain, saturated) but significantly improved the nutritional profile by increasing long-chain, unsaturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega-3, rumenic acid, oleic acid, and the h/H milk index.
Population
Eighteen Holstein cows in the middle stage of lactation with an average daily milk yield of 22 (±4) kg/d.
Effective Dosage
3% and 6% inclusion of canola oil in the diet (dry matter basis).
Duration
Not specified in the abstract.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3% inclusion of canola oil in the diet | neutral | - | Holstein cows in the middle stage of lactation | - | - | #1 |
6% inclusion of canola oil in the diet | decrease | milk yield | lactating cows | 2.51 kg/d | linearly reduced | #2 |
6% inclusion of canola oil in the diet | decrease | short-chain fatty acids (FA) | lactating cows | 41.42% | linearly reduced | #3 |
6% inclusion of canola oil in the diet | decrease | medium chain FA | lactating cows | 27.32% | linearly reduced | #4 |
6% inclusion of canola oil in the diet | decrease | saturated FA | lactating cows | 20.24% | linearly reduced | #5 |
6% inclusion of canola oil in the diet | decrease | saturated/unsaturated FA ratio | lactating cows | 39.20% | linearly reduced | #6 |
6% inclusion of canola oil in the diet | decrease | omega-6/omega-3 ratio | lactating cows | 39.45% | linearly reduced | #7 |
6% inclusion of canola oil in the diet | decrease | atherogenicity index | lactating cows | 48.36% | linearly reduced | #8 |
6% inclusion of canola oil in the diet | increase | concentration of long chain FA | cows | 45.91% | increase | #9 |
6% inclusion of canola oil in the diet | increase | unsaturated FA | cows | 34.08% | increase | #10 |
6% inclusion of canola oil in the diet | increase | monounsaturated FA | cows | 40.37% | increase | #11 |
6% inclusion of canola oil in the diet | increase | polyunsaturated FA | cows | 17.88% | increase | #12 |
6% inclusion of canola oil in the diet | increase | milk concentration of omega-3 | cows | 115% | increase | #13 |
6% inclusion of canola oil in the diet | increase | rumenic acid (CLA) | cows | 16.50% | increase | #14 |
6% inclusion of canola oil in the diet | increase | oleic acid | cows | 44.87% | increase | #15 |
6% inclusion of canola oil in the diet | increase | h/H milk index | cows | 94.44% | increase | #16 |
inclusion of canola oil in the diet of lactating dairy cows | increase | milk fatty acid profile | human diet | - | makes the milk fatty acid profile nutritionally healthier | #17 |
inclusion of canola oil in the diet of lactating dairy cows | decrease | lactating performance of dairy cows | dairy cows | - | reduce | #18 |
To produce milk that is healthier for human consumption, the present study evaluated the effect of including canola oil in the diet of dairy cows on milk production and composition as well as the nutritional quality of this milk fat. Eighteen Holstein cows with an average daily milk yield of 22 (± 4) kg/d in the middle stage of lactation were used. The cows were distributed in 6 contemporary 3x3 Latin squares consisting of 3 periods and 3 treatments: control diet (without oil), 3% inclusion of canola oil in the diet and 6% inclusion of canola oil in the diet (dry matter basis). The inclusion of 6% canola oil in the diet of lactating cows linearly reduced the milk yield by 2.51 kg/d, short-chain fatty acids (FA) by 41.42%, medium chain FA by 27.32%, saturated FA by 20.24%, saturated/unsaturated FA ratio by 39.20%, omega-6/omega-3 ratio by 39.45%, and atherogenicity index by 48.36% compared with the control treatment. Moreover, with the 6% inclusion of canola oil in the diet of cows, there was an increase in the concentration of long chain FA by 45.91%, unsaturated FA by 34.08%, monounsaturated FA by 40.37%, polyunsaturated FA by 17.88%, milk concentration of omega-3 by 115%, rumenic acid (CLA) by 16.50%, oleic acid by 44.87% and h/H milk index by 94.44% compared with the control treatment. Thus, the inclusion of canola oil in the diet of lactating dairy cows makes the milk fatty acid profile nutritionally healthier for the human diet; however, the lactating performance of dairy cows is reduce.