Trans- 10, cis- 12 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a biohydrogenation intermediate produced in the rumen, is a potent inhibitor of milk fat synthesis. Data from a number of studies where various doses of trans -10, cis -12 CLA have been abomasally infused demonstrate a curvilinear relationship between the percent reduction in milk fat yield and both the dose of trans- 10, cis- 12 CLA infused and the milk fat content of trans- 10, cis- 12 CLA. In addition to a reduction in milk fat output, under some circumstances an increase in milk yield and milk protein output are observed. To date, there has been no examination of the effects of trans- 10, cis- 12 CLA on milk fat synthesis in lactating sheep. The current study was therefore designed to determine if trans- 10, cis- 12 CLA would inhibit milk fat synthesis in lactating sheep. In order to test the effectiveness of trans- 10, cis- 12 CLA in inhibiting milk fat synthesis we used a lipid-encapsulated trans- 10, cis- 12 CLA supplement (LE-CLA) as a means to provide the trans- 10, cis- 12 CLA isomer post-ruminally.
Short Communication: Milk Fat Response to Low Doses of trans-10, cis-12 Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)