Variation in Milk Composition of Dairy Goats due to N-3 Unsaturated Fatty Acids Supplementation

Abstract

The objective of this research was to determine the effect of addition of n-3 unsaturated fatty acids (α-linoleic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic) in dairy goats’ ration on milk composition (fat and protein content). Also, the persistence of the effect after supplementation was analysed. The research was conducted on dairy goats (Alpine and Saanen) bred at an indoor farm. Regarding the experimental period, the milk sampling at milking (morning and evening) was performed in the period before supplementation (BS), during supplementation (S), and after supplementation (AS). According to the added supplement, animals were randomly allocated into a group (G-4) with no added supplement and three test groups (G-1; G-2; G-3) where a supplement containing n-3 unsaturated fatty acid was added over a period of five days. The results of this research indicate that the addition of PUFA in goats’ ration changes the milk composition. The supplementation of α-linoleic resulted in increase of both milk fat and protein content. Furthermore, the addition of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic resulted in decrease of fat but increase of protein content in milk. The observed trends also persisted after the supplementation period.