Search

24 calves of the breed "Deutsche Schwarzbunte Rasse" were used for qualitative and quantitative investigations on the metabolism of fatty acids, particularly that of linoleic acid. The trial comprised 6 calves in 4 groups. The experimental rations consisted of powdered skim milk, oat meal, milk sugar, coco fat and varying proportions of linoleic acid (1.0%, 1.5%, 2.5%). The control group received the basal ration without supplements of linoleic acid. After a short period of adjustment the metabolic trial was started with 9 periods each lasting 7 days. The composition of fatty acids in the faecal lipids was analysed by gas chromatography. The studies led to the conclusion that the fatty acids contained in the faecal fat were not immediately derived from the dietary fat. The results of the trial also showed that the major proportion of all the fatty acids present in the faecal lipids consisted of only 4 fatty acids, viz. oleic acid, palmitic acid, lauric acid and myristic acid. Changes observed for the content of linoleic acid in faecal lipids were negligible so that the assumption may be made that all of the linoleic acid added was completely digested.