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

Abstract:

Energy deficiency during early lactation is a persistent problem in high-yielding buffaloes managed on tropical forages. This research evaluated the effect of calcium salt-based bypass fat supplementation at 0, 50, 100, and 150 g/day on milk yield, milk composition, and fatty acid profile of 24 Murrah buffaloes over a 90-day trial at Chhattisgarh Plains Agricultural University, Bilaspur, from November 2021 to February 2022. A completely randomised design with four treatments and six animals each was used. Average daily milk yield increased from 7.84 kg/d in the control to 9.67 kg/d at 150 g/d bypass fat (p<0.01). Milk fat content rose from 7.12% to 7.89%, while protein remained unchanged. Oleic acid (C18:1) proportion in milk fat increased from 24.7% to 32.4% at the highest supplement level, and Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) nearly doubled from 0.32% to 0.59%. The 100 g/d dose appeared optimal considering both yield response and feed cost. These findings indicate that modest bypass fat supplementation can raise milk output and improve fatty acid composition in buffaloes without affecting rumen function.