Impact of bypass fat supplementation on milk yield and fatty acid profile in lactating buffaloes

Introduction

High-producing dairy buffaloes in tropical Asia routinely enter negative energy balance during the first 8-10 weeks of lactation because forage-based diets cannot supply enough metabolisable energy to match milk output [1] . The energy deficit triggers body fat mobilisation, depresses peak milk yield, delays conception, and increases the risk of ketosis [2] . Raising concentrate intake to bridge the gap often causes ruminal acidosis, depressed fibre digestion, and milk fat depression a classic trade-off that limits how much starch can safely replace fibre in the diet [3] . Bypass fats also called rumen-protected fats offer a way around this constraint. Calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids dissociate only at the low pH of the abomasum, releasing free fatty acids for intestinal absorption without interfering with rumen fermentation [4] . Previous trials in Holstein cows showed that 200-400 g/d of calcium salt bypass fat increased milk yield by 1.5-3.0 kg/d and raised milk fat content by 0.2-0.5 percentage points [5] . In buffaloes, however, published data are scarce, and dose-response information is almost absent [6] . This research tested four levels of a commercial calcium salt bypass fat product (Energizer Gold, IFFCO, India) in Murrah buffaloes during early-to-mid lactation, with the aim of identifying the dose that gives the best return in milk yield and fatty acid quality. The trial ran at the Livestock Research Centre of Chhattisgarh Plains Agricultural University, Bilaspur, from November 2021 to February 2022 [7] .

Material and Methods

Ethical Considerations

Feed preparation method

Bypass fat granules were weighed daily using an electronic balance (± 0.1 g) and mixed into the morning concentrate by hand immediately before feeding. No heat treatment was applied, as calcium salt stability is maintained at ambient temperatures up to 45°C. Refusals were collected and weighed; actual supplement intake was calculated by difference. Forage was chopped to 3-5 cm length using a mechanical chaff cutter before feeding.

Methods

Milk yield was recorded at each milking (morning and evening) using calibrated buckets. Composite samples (morning + evening, proportional to yield) were collected fortnightly. Fat was estimated by the Gerber method, protein by Kjeldahl (N ×

Comprehensive interpretation

Oleic acid increased from 24.7% to 32.4% of total fatty acids at 150 g/d, reflecting the high oleic acid content (38%) of the supplement. CLA rose from 0.32% to 0.59%, likely through mammary delta-9 desaturase conversion of absorbed vaccenic acid. Palmitic and stearic acids declined proportionally as unsaturated fatty acids increased in the overall profile.

Discussion

The 23.3% increase in milk yield at 150 g/d bypass fat agrees with the 15-28% range reported by Naik et al. [6] for crossbred cows receiving 100-200 g/d of similar calcium salt products. The response appears slightly larger in buffaloes, possibly because their higher milk fat content (7-8%) creates a greater demand for dietary long-chain fatty acids as direct precursors for milk fat synthesis [8] . The shift toward unsaturated fatty acids in milk particularly the rise in oleic acid and CLA has nutritional implications for consumers. CLA has been associated with anticarcinogenic and anti-atherogenic effects in animal models [9] , and oleic acid is widely regarded as heart-healthy [10] . The near-doubling of CLA from 0.32% to 0.59% is notable and would be amplified in buffalo ghee, which concentrates fat-soluble components roughly 1.2-fold [11] . From a cost perspective, at the prevailing price of bypass fat (Rs 120/kg in 2022), the 100 g/d dose costs about Rs 12/d and produces an additional 1.37 kg milk/d valued at approximately Rs 82 (at Rs 60/kg buffalo milk), yielding a net daily return of Rs 70 [12] . The 150 g/d dose gives a further yield bump but with diminishing marginal returns, so the 100 g/d rate appears most economical for smallholder producers.

Conclusion

Calcium salt bypass fat supplementation at 100-150 g/d significantly increased milk yield, fat percentage, and fat yield in Murrah buffaloes during early-to-mid lactation. Milk fatty acid composition shifted toward higher oleic acid and CLA proportions, which may improve the nutritional quality of buffalo milk and ghee. Body condition score loss was nearly eliminated at 150 g/d. The 100 g/d dose offered the best economic return under current market conditions. These findings support the inclusion of bypass fat in feeding programmes for high-producing buffaloes, particularly during the first 90 days of lactation when energy deficit is most severe.

References

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