Effect on milk lipolysis of restricted feeding with and without supplementation with protected rape seed oil

Abstract

SummaryFeeding lactating cows at a reduced level for a 6-d-period caused blood serum and milk free fatty acids (FFA) to rise. Milk lipolysis developed more slowly and lasted longer than elevation of the level of FFA in blood. In a second experiment protected rape seed oil was given to underfed animals and inhibited the development of rancidity in the milk. Since unsaturated fat reduced lipoprotein lipase activity in the underfed cow, this supplement appears to reduce the effect of underfeeding if it is accepted that a normal response to underfeeding is to improve the efficiency of fat metabolism through increased lipoprotein lipase activity.