Glucose and fatty acid metabolism in cows producing milk of low fat content

Abstract

SUMMARYThe effects of changing to a high starch: low roughage diet have been studied in two Friesian and two Jersey cows, surgically prepared for the simultaneous study of udder metabolism (arteriovenous difference x udder blood flow) and whole body turnover of milk precursors (isotope dilution).In the Friesian cows milk fat concentration was lower on the high starch diet but in the Jerseys fell only slightly in one animal. In both Friesians and in the one Jersey these changes were accompanied by an increase in total rumen VFA concentration. Rumen acetate concentration did not change but propionate doubled. Thus this confirms that the usually reported fall in ‘acetate:propionate ratio’ is due to a rise in propionate production rather than due to a fall in acetate production.There were significant falls in the blood concentrations of acetate and β-hydroxy-butyrate. The rate of extraction by the udder of acetate and β-hydroxybutyrate did not change but triglyceride extraction fell. Therefore since udder blood flow did not alter the uptake of all three fat precursors fell.The entry rate of glucose into the circulation and its contribution to total body CO2 increased. The entry rate and contribution to CO2 of acetate decreased but this was probably mainly due to a fall in endogenous acetate production by the body tissues. Plasma FFA concentration showed little change but the entry rate of palmitate fell on the high starch diet. There was also an increased proportion of unsaturated and trans fatty acids in the plasma and milk triglycerides.