Influence of Betaine on Milk Yield and Fatty Acid Composition in Lactating Dairy Goats

Abstract

Fernández, C.,Rodríguez-Alcalá, L.M., Abilleira, E., de la Fuente, J.M. and Fontecha, J. 2009. Influence of betaine on milk yield and fatty acid composition in lactating dairy goats. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 89–92.

Two groups of 30 goats were selected to determine the effects of added betaine (4g/kg) on diets ofMurciano-Granadina dairy goat. After an experimental period of 3 months no significant differences between groups were observed for milk yield, chemical composition and somatic cells count in milk. Feeding betaine supplemented diets increased relatively the proportions of short chain fatty acids (C6:0 to C10.0) and significantly (P<0.05) increased the proportions of medium chain fatty acids (C12.0 to C15:0) in milk fat. Thus betaine feeding maybe considered beneficial for producing milk good for human health.

Keywords:

• Betaine
• goat milk
• fatty acid