Abstract
ABSTRACTWe investigated the effects of three forage species on fatty acid composition of lamb (Ovis aries L.) subcutaneous dock‐fat. For 93 days, lambs grazed replicated pastures of irrigated ‘Cimarron’ alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), ‘Renumex’ sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.), or ‘Luna’ pubescent wheatgrass [Thinopyron intermedium subsp. barbulatum (Schur) Barkw. and D.R. Dewey]. Dock‐fat from lambs grazing sainfoin and alfalfa were similar (P>.01) in fatty acid composition, but differed (P<.01) in the molar concentrations of heptadecanoic (C17:0) and nonadecanoic (C19:0) acids from lambs grazing wheatgrass. Levels of tetradecanoic (C14:0) and pentadecanoic (C15:0) acids were lower (P<0.10) in lambs grazing sainfoin than lambs grazing wheatgrass. No difference (P>.10) in the level of saturated (48.4%) or unsaturated (51.6%) fatty acids was found among lambs from the forages. Octadecanoic acid (C18:0) constituted 49% of the saturated fatty acid composition. Health concerns may arise from the remaining (25% of total fatty acids) potentially harmful saturated fatty acids.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
