Role of Insulin in the Regulation of Milk Fat Synthesis in Dairy Cows

Abstract

Five lactating Holstein cows were fitted with rumen fistulas and subjected to a hyperinsulinemiceuglycemic clamp and abomasal casein infusion to examine the effects on milk fat synthesis and the composition of milk fatty acids. The experiment consisted of two periods of abomasal infusions (water or 0.5 kg/d of casein); each period was divided into three 4-d intervals. The initial interval allowed for acclimation, and baseline measurements were established during the second interval. During the third 4-d interval, a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp was maintained, and insulin was infused continuously at the rate of 1μg/kg of body weight per h. Circulating concentrations of insulin were increased more than fourfold, and euglycemia was maintained by infusion of glucose at variable rates. Insulin had no effect on milk fat yield but casein infusion increased milk yield and tended to increase fat yield. A trend toward higher milk yield during the clamp, combined with a slight numerical decrease in milk fat yield, resulted in decreased fat percentage. Calculated net energy balance was positive throughout the study, although feed intake decreased during the insulin clamp, particularly for the water infusion period. Minor changes occurred in the composition of milk fatty acids during the clamp when the balance between de novo and preformed fatty acids shifted slightly toward de novo. Overall, results demonstrated that a relatively constant rate of milk fat synthesis was maintained during chronic hyperinsulinemia. Effects on milk fat yield and composition of fatty acids offered no support for the role of insulin on milk fat depression.