Lipid Metabolism in Farm Animals

Abstract

The development of a rumen and its constituent population of micro-organisms has enabled ruminant animals to succeed on a herbivorous diet. However, as a concomitant of this, extensive biohydrogenation of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids by rumen micro-organisms has necessitated adaptations to survive on a diet deficient (by non- ruminant standards) in essential fatty acids. Microbial metabolism in the rumen is a major obstacle to manipulating the fatty acid composition of ruminant lipids by dietary means. However, endocrinological and immunological manipulations provide means for decreasing the amount of triacylglycerols in ruminant tissues.