Propionate for Fatty Acid Synthesis by the Mammary Gland of the Lactating Goat

Isolated mammary glands of lactating goats were perfused with heparinized and oxygenated blood for 8 to 15h. Adequate quantities of glucose, acetate, and amino acids were added to the perfusate. After addition of propionate to the perfusion blood, concentrations of odd-numbered and of monomethyl-substituted fatty acids other than those with iso and anteiso configuration increased in the milk fat. These acids seem to be synthesized de novo in the mammary gland. The increase of C 17.0 concentration was weak and problematic. We suggest that propionate is acting as a precursor for monomethyl-substituted fatty acids by way of methylmalonyl-CoA. The activating effect of propionate administration upon milk fatty acid production was largest for odd-numbered followed by monomethyl-substituted fatty acids. No increase of iso acids was observed in milk fat in the propionate-infused glands whereas the increase of anteiso acids was extremely small. This agrees with the conception that iso and anteiso fatty acids are synthesized by rumen bacteria.