Effects of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) on tissue response to homeostatic signals and plasma variables associated with lipid metabolism in lactating dairy cows.

We conducted a series of experiments to evaluate the effects of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) on lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis in lactating dairy cows. In all experiments, multiparous Holstein cows in mid to late lactation were abomasally infused with CLA for 5 d. The initial study established that trans-10, cis-12 CLA markedly reduced milk fat yield whereas cis-9, trans-11 CLA, the predominant CLA isomer in milk fat, had no effect. Across the three investigations, infusions of the pure trans-10, cis-12 CLA isomer (3.5 to 14.0 g/d) resulted in a 25 to 50% decrease in milk fat yield and this was energetically equivalent to 6 to 11% of net energy intake. Effects were specific for milk fat as there were little or no changes in feed intake and the yield of milk or milk protein. In Exp. 1, infusing trans-10, cis-12 CLA had no effect on circulating plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, or leptin. Basal NEFA concentrations were also unaffected, but lipolytic response to an epinephrine challenge was reduced (33%) when cows received trans-10, cis-12 CLA; this minor change in lipolytic response would be consistent with the slightly more positive net energy balance when cows received trans-10, cis-12 CLA. In Exp. 2, infusing differing amounts of trans-10, cis-12 CLA had only minor effects on basal NEFA concentrations, but again cows receiving trans-10, cis-12 CLA tended to have reduced (24%) lipolytic response to trans-10, cis-12 CLA compared to the control period. In Exp. 3, infusing trans-10, cis-12 CLA had no effect on basal glucose concentrations or glucose response to an insulin challenge. The fractional rate of glucose clearance in response to insulin was also not altered by treatment. In summary, the effects of trans-10, cis-12 CLA in lactating dairy cows appear to be specific for the mammary gland, resulting in reduced milk fat synthesis; adipose tissue response to a homeostatic signal regulating lipolysis (epinephrine), whole-body response to a homeostatic signal regulating glucose homeostasis (insulin), and plasma variables associated with lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis were relatively unaffected by treatment with trans-10, cis-12 CLA.