Seasonal changes in the fatty acid composition of ewe-milk fat

Abstract
The fatty acid composition of Romney ewe-milk fat taken at the peak, decline and end of lactation was determined. The reduction in the content of C18 unsaturated acids at the end of Nov. (late spring) is similar to that of cow-milk fats. This period represents the end of lactation for the early-lambing ewe, but only the middle of lactation for the cow. The change in fatty acid composition is probably associated with the increased food intake in Nov., and is probably not greatly influenced by the stage of lactation.