Influence of stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 genotype and stage of lactation on fatty acid composition of Canadian Jersey cows

Bovine milk contains high proportions of saturated fatty acids (SFA) because of the extensive biohydrogenation of dietary fatty acids in the rumen. Stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 (SCD1) catalyzes the conversion of C10 to C18 SFA into their monounsaturated (MUFA) counterparts in the mammary glands of ruminant animals; and 2 alleles (A and V) have previously been identified at the SCD1 locus. Genotypes at this locus were identified and fatty acid contents of milk were measured for 525 Canadian Jersey cows. Association analysis indicated that allele A is positively associated with higher C10 (C10I), C12 (C12I) and C14 (C14I) indices and, consequently, with greater contents of C10:1 and C12:1, but not C14:1, relative to allele V. Allele A was also positively associated with increased 305-d milk and protein yields. Allele A, however, had no influence on C16 (C16I), C18 (C18I), or conjugated linoleic acid indices (CLAI) compared with the V allele. Stage of lactation had an influence on desaturase indices and consequently on the MUFA contents of milk fat. The indices C10I, C12I, C14I, and CLAI increased from early to mid lactation as did their respective MUFA. Genetic selection for increased unsaturation of the hypercholesterolemic fatty acids in milk fat is feasible and may be accompanied by increased lactation milk and protein yields.