The Effect of Various Dietary Lipids on the Blood Plasma Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids of Dairy Calves

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Abstract
At birth the mean values for 5 calves for linoleic, linolenic and arachidonic acids in blood plasma were 2.8, 0.6 and 3.2 mg/100 ml, respectively. During the subsequent 4 days, the values for these acids increased approximately tenfold, sixfold and twofold, respectively. Five groups of 3 calves each were fed various lipids subsequent to 17 days of age. Linoleic acid values markedly increased in the group fed crude soybean oil and lesser increases occurred in whole milk and lard groups, whereas slight decreases were observed in groups fed butter oil and hydrogenated soybean oil. Changes in linolenic acid values were variable and inconclusive. Calves fed milk fat consistently maintained higher plasma arachidonic acid values than groups that received lard, crude soybean oil and hydrogenated soybean oil. In general, the degree of polyunsaturation in the lipids consumed was reflected in changes in the total plasma polyunsaturated fatty acid level in the young calf.