Effect of Feeding Lauric Acid to Lactating Cows on Milk Composition, Rumen Fermentation, and Blood Lipids

Abstract

Six lactating cows were in a 6-wk continuous feeding experiment to determine the effect of supplementing a normal ration with lauric acid. During the 2-wk treatment, three cows remained on the control ration and three cows received the control ration plus 400g lauric acid fed with the grain. Milk yield, fat percent, fat yield, solids-not-fat percent, or 4% fat-corrected milk did not change between lauric acid treatment and control groups. The percent and yield of lauric acid in milk fat was increased with lauric acid supplementation. The proportions of rumen acetate and butyrate decreased while propionate increased when lauric acid was fed. Plasma cholesterol was elevated by lauric acid supplementation. Amounts and arteriovenous differences for blood glucose, ketones and acetate, and free fatty acids and triglycerides of plasma were not altered significantly. © 1974, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.