Effect of fat supplementation type on milk production, and composition and mammary gland morphological parameters in primiparous Sannen does

The effect of diets containing different sources of fat on milk production and composition, and mammary gland morphology of the 40 primiparousSaanen does was studied during the last two months of pregnancy to 12 weeks after kidding. Goats were divided into four groups of 10 each, based onthe average initial live weight and were assigned to one of four experimental diets. The diets included a non-fat diet, diet containing saturated fat, dietcontaining roasted soybeans, and a diet containing extruded flaxseed. The results showed that during the whole experimental period, milk productionin goats fed with diet containing flaxseed was higher than in goats fed with non- fat diet or saturated fat diet (P<0.05). The average daily milkproduction of goats fed a diet containing flaxseed in the first, second, third, ninth, tenth, and twelfth weeks of lactation was higher than that of goatsfed non-fat diet or saturated fat (P<0.05). The percentage of protein, lactose, solids not fat, and milk solids in non-fat diet goats were higher than theother groups (P<0.05). The percentage of fat to protein ratio in goats fed a diet containing unsaturated fat was higher than in other groups (P<0.05).Consumption of diets containing unsaturated fats improved the volume, environment, and size of mammary gland quarters (P<0.05). In general, theuse of fat supplements rich in unsaturated fatty acids such as soybeans or flaxseed, in the close-up and early lactation diets could improve lactationperformance in primiparous Sannen goats.