Effects of Dietary Fat Sources on Occurrences of Conjugated Linoleic Acid and trans Fatty Acids in Rumen Contents

The effects of dietary sources of C18:2 n-6 or C18:3 n-3 fatty acids on the occurrence of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and time-dependent changes of free fatty acid fractions in rumen contents were investigated. Sheep (n=4) fitted with rumen fistula were used in a 44 Latin square design wxith each 14 d period. Sheep were fed one of four diets consisting of grass hay and concentrates in a ratio of 70:30. Dietary treatments were 100% concentrates (served as the control), and concentrates were replaced by safflower seed at 30% (SFS), safflower meal at 18% - safflower oil at 12% (SFO), and safflower meal at 18%-linseed oil at 12% (LNO). At the end of each experimental period, rumen contents from each sheep were collected before feeding and at 1, 3, 6 and 12 h after feeding. The levels of cis-9, trans-11 CLA in free fatty acid fraction were considerably increased in all treated groups relative to the control, but not significantly. The increase in cis-9, trans-11 CLA was slightly higher in SFS and SFO groups than group fed diet containing linseed oil. The level of cis-9, trans-11 CLA in free fatty acid fraction was reached to the maximum value at 1hr after feeding and, thereafter gradually decreased to near the value before feeding. The generation of trans-11 C18:1 was significantly higher in all treated groups than that of control. The level of trans-11 C18:1 was linearly increased after feeding of experimental diets, reaching the maximum value at 3 h. Feeding of diets containing polyunsaturated fats to sheep resulted in a marked increase in the levels of trans-11 C18:1 and a slight increase of CLA in free fatty acid fraction of rumen contents. Our results support that endogenous synthesis of CLA from trans-11 C18:1 may be involved the primary source of CLA in dairy product. (Asian-Aust.