Changes in the milk fatty acid profile of Awassi sheep in response to supplementation with agro-industrial by-products

The daily milk production and fat content were enhanced in diets containing urea-treated wheat straw (P < 0.01). The vetch-based diet resulted in a remarkable increase in C6:0, C8:0, C10:0, C12:0, C14:0, and decrease in C18:0 and C20:0 (P < 0.01). An increase in C6:0, C8:0, and C10:0 was also observed in diets containing molasses and sugar beet pulp (P < 0.01). Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) increased by 10% with cotton seed cake-based diets, whereas it decreased by 25% in the vetch-based diet (P < 0.01). Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) increased in five diets by 10-19%, compared to that of the control group (P < 0.01). This study provides evidence that supplementation using agro-industrial by-product feed stuff influences milk fatty acids profile and therefore enhances potential health benefits.