Production and composition of milk from Bergamasca breed ewes supplemented with linseed oil (Linum usitatissimum L)"

• Grant number: 10/08219-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2010
• End date: August 31, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Animal Production
• Principal Investigator: Edson Ramos de Siqueira
• Grantee: Marianna Mietto Mendes
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

AbstractThe conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is excellent to human health due to the anticarcinogenic effect, especially in the regression of mammary tumors and colon, as well as reducing body fat. It is also important to the control of non-transmitted chronic disease. This acid can be formed in the rumen through incomplete biohydrogenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids provided in animal feeding such as linseed. This seed is different from the other ones as it has linolenic acid, omega 3 and omega 6, vitamins, carotene and minerals; besides, it increases the apparent digestibility of nutrients, mainly the fibrous fraction of the diet. However there are few researches on the addition of linolenic acid in the diet of milk ewes and on its effect on their milk, which becomes even more beneficial to humans. Therefore, the objective of this study is to asses the production responses of Bergamasca ewes in lactation. They are going to be given linseed oil on Panicum maximum cv. Tanzania pasture. The experiment will be carried at Ewe Milk Production and Research Unit, University of Veterinary Medicine and Animal, UNESP, Botucatu campus, SP state, with 48 Bergamasca ewes, which are approximatelly 2.5 and 3.5 years old. These will be distributed into two types of treatments: A) supply with concentrate containing 3% of linseed oil and B) supply with concentrate, but without linseed oil. Both treatments will be balanced according to NRC (1985) for lactating ewes. The following variables will be evaluated: dry matter (DM) consumption, body weight dynamics, total milk production and its proximate composition, milk fatty acid composition and cheese sensory aspects.Key-words: conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), ewe cheese, fatty acid, feeding, sheep.