Growth, Plasma Lipids and Fatty Acid Composition of Veal Calves Fed Polyunsaturated Fats

Abstract

Supplemental feeding of milk high in linoleic acid (14.1% C18:2) to young bull calves for 10 weeks was followed by feeding safflower oil for an additional 7 weeks that was protected from microbial hydrogenation in the rumen. The protection from degradation was provided by a casein-formaldehyde coating. Plasma cholesterol was elevated by feeding the protected safflower oil. Higher concentrations of linoleic acid were found in blood and biopsied fat of experimental calves fed polyunsaturated milk and protected safflower oil than in calves fed normal milk and unprotected safflower oil. Growth and health of the calves were normal. At slaughter at 18 weeks of age, over four times control concentrations of linoleic acid were present in depot fat of the calves exposed to the greatest amount of polyunsaturate feeding. The linoleic acid of intramuscular veal fat was nearly doubled by feeding the polyunsaturated diets. Plasma triglycerides, non-esterified fatty acids, and blood vitamin E showed no changes correlated with the treatments.