Alteration of the Fatty Acid Content of Milk Fat

Milk fatty acid composition can be influenced by several factors, many of which are interactive. These include stage of lactation, seasonal variation, low milk fat syndrome, feeding, genetic variation, and changes in the energy status of the cow due to administration of bovine somatotropin. Utilization of feeding, genetic variation, and bovine somatotropin should produce a milk fat lower in saturated and higher in unsaturated fatty acids. This may be beneficial to consumers, as many health professionals are recommending diets lower in saturated fatty acids. Giving consumers the option of purchasing low saturated fatty acid dairy products may also assist in alleviating the current milk fat surplus in the dairy industry.