Milk production and composition in cows and goats fed alpha-ketoisocaproate

• Published in: Journal of dairy science Vol. 71; no. 12; pp. 3352 - 3361
• Main Authors: Vandehaar, M.J, Flakoll, P.J, Beitz, D.C, Nissen, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Dairy Science Association 01.12.1988
• Subjects: Animals; BOVIN LAITIER; CAPRIN; CAPRINOS; Caproates - pharmacology; Cattle - physiology; COMPLEMENT ALIMENTAIRE; COMPOSICION; COMPOSITION; COWS; DAIRY CATTLE; FEED SUPPLEMENTS; Female; GANADO DE LECHE; GOATS; Goats - physiology; Keto Acids - pharmacology; Lactation - drug effects; LAIT; LECHE; LEUCINA; LEUCINE; METABOLITE; METABOLITES; METABOLITOS; MILK; Milk - analysis; Milk - drug effects; MILK PRODUCTION; milk production efficiency; MILK YIELD; Pregnancy; PRODUCCION LECHERA; PRODUCTION LAITIERE; RENDEMENT LAITIER; RENDIMIENTO LECHERO; SUPLEMENTOS DE PIENSOS; VACA; VACHE
• ISSN: 0022-0302; 1525-3198
• DOI: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(88)79940-3

To examine whether alpha-ketoisocaproate supplementation affects milk production, 10 goats were fed either 0 or 1.1% calcium-alpha-ketoisocaproate for 2 wk and 12 cows were fed either 0 or .75% Na alpha-ketoisocaproate for 3 wk. Supplementation with alpha-ketoisocaproate increased milk fat content, milk fat yield, and 4% FCM yield in cows by an average of 5, 10, and 8%, respectively, for the treatment period. In cows, response of milk fat yield to alpha-ketoisocaproate was 120 g during wk 1 of treatment but diminished to 55 g by wk 3. Milk yield and milk protein yield tended to be greater in cows fed alpha-ketoisocaproate, but milk production efficiency and body weight were not altered by treatment in either species. Supplementation with alpha-ketoisocaproate had no significant effect on fatty acid composition of milk but tended to increase the percentage of C10 and C12 fatty acids. In goats, supplementation with alpha-ketoisocaproate had no significant effect on milk production or composition, but trends toward increased milk fat and protein content were observed. Results indicate that alpha-ketoisocaproate acutely stimulates milk fat production in lactating cows and that this effect seems to diminish with time.