Effect of sunflower oil supplementation on milk production, fatty acid profile and nutrient digestibility in kankrej cows Ahuja L.C., Pawar M.M.*, Patil S.S., Rathod B.S.1, Modi C.P., Patel J.R. Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Kamdhenu University, Sardarkrushinagar - 385 506, Gujarat 1Livestock Research Station, Kamdhenu University, Sardarkrushinagar - 385 506, Gujarat *Correspondence: mahespawar@gmail.com
Online published on 28 December, 2023. Abstract The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of sunflower oil supplementation on milk yield, composition and fatty acid profile and nutrient digestibility in Kankrej cows. Thirty lactating Kankrej cows (20 days post-partum) were equally assigned into three groups on the basis of previous milk production. The duration of the experiment was 90 days. The three groups were as T1: Basal diet, groups T2 and T3 basal diet was supplemented with 125 and 250 ml/cow/day of sunflower oil. The supplemental levels of sunflower oil were about 1.2 and 2.4% of dry matter intake in T2 and T3 groups, respectively. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in milk yield in terms of kg/d, 4% FCM and ECM among the treatment groups. Supplementation of sunflower oil did not affect (P>0.05) the composition and yields of milk fat, SNF, total solids, protein and lactose. Sunflower oil feeding at the dose of 125 and 250 ml/h/d reduced (P<0.01) milk saturated fatty acids (10.2 and 9.2%), while increased (P<0,.01) milk unsaturated fatty acids (48.4 and 44.0%) and milk monounsaturated fatty acids (76.8 and 75.4%) than the control. The intake and digestibility of ether extract was higher (P<0.05) in sunflower oil supplemented groups. The intake and digestibility of other nutrients were not affected (P>0.05) due to dietary treatments. It was concluded that sunflower oil supplementation significantly improved milk fatty acid profile without affecting milk yield, milk composition, nutrient intake and digestibility. Top Keywords Kankrej cow, Milk yield, Milk fatty acids, Nutrient digestibility, Sunflower oil. Top |