Dietary supplements of two doses of calcium salts of conjugated linoleic acid during the transition period and early lactation

Reduction of milk fat secretion by the use of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplements may alleviate energy demands during early lactation. The objective of the present study was to evaluate lactational performance, net energy balance, and reproductive response of dairy cows supplemented with 2 doses of CLA from 2 wk before predicted calving until 9 wk postpartum. Holstein cows (n = 48) were divided into 3 treatment groups: 1) control, 2) low dose CLA treatment (CLA-1), and 3) high dose CLA treatment (CLA-2). Supplements for all treatments provided 230 g/d of fat; the control group received Ca salts of palm fatty acid distillate and the CLA groups received a mixture of Ca salts of CLA isomers and Ca salts of palm fatty acid distillate (31.6 and 63.2 g/d of CLA isomers for CLA-1 and CLA-2, respectively). Supplementation with CLA resulted in an 11 and 21% decrease in milk fat yield for CLA-1 and CLA-2, respectively. Milk production and secretion of other milk components did not differ among treatments. Milk energy output was significantly reduced with CLA-2, but net energy balance, body weight, and body condition scores were unaffected. Treatment had no effect on hepatic triglyceride concentration or plasma glucose and insulin, but nonesterified fatty acids tended to be lower for CLA-1. There were no consistent dose-related effects on reproduction variables, and no adverse effects were observed during the treatment or posttreatment period. Supplemental CLA was effective in reducing milk fat content, but it did not have a significant effect on milk yield or net energy balance.