Short communication: effect of production variables on the cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid content of cows' milk.

Although there have been numerous studies investigating effects of nutrition and individual variation on the concentration of cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid (rumenic acid; RA) in milk, there is limited information on relationships among RA content of milk and production variables. The objective of the current analysis was to examine the effects of production variables on RA content and desaturase index of milk fat. A total of 430 samples were collected from cows fed a commercial total mixed ration in winter and grazing in summer. Across a >6-fold range in production variables, RA content of milk ranged from 1 to 32 mg/g of fatty acids and desaturase index ranged from 0.03 to 0.15. Days in milk, milk yield, milk fat content, and milk fat yield had minimal or no effect on RA content of milk fat or desaturase index (R(2) values all <0.08). Thus, whereas nutrition and individual variation are major factors affecting RA content and desaturase index of milk fat, these values are minimally affected by days in milk, milk yield, milk fat content, and milk fat yield. Differences in these parameters do not need to be considered, therefore, when designing management strategies to increase RA content of milk fat.