Effects of fat and methionine hydroxy analog on prevention or alleviation of fatty liver induced by feed restriction

Two trials were conducted to examine the effects of supplemental methionine , provided as methionine hydroxy analog 13 g/d), or fat (454 g of calcium s alts of long-chain fatty acids/d) on hepatic triglyceride concentration. In the first experiment, methionine hydroxy analog or fat was fed during feed restriction to determine if hepatic triglyceride accumulation is affected. The objective of the second experiment was to determine if feeding fat or methionine hydroxy analog influences the rate of triglyceride depletion fro m the liver of cows in positive energy balance following the induction of f atty liver by feed restriction. In experiment 1, feeding methionine hydroxy analog decreased plasma glucose, increased plasma nonesterified fatty acid s, and had no effect on liver triglyceride. Feeding fat increased plasma no nesterified fatty acids and increased hepatic triglyceride during the 10-d feed restriction period. In experiment 2, feeding fat decreased the rate of triglyceride depletion from liver when cows were allowed to resume ad libi tum consumption of feed; methionine hydroxy analog had no effect. Results o f these studies indicate that feeding supplemental fat or methionine hydrox y analog at levels tested does not prevent or alleviate fatty liver induced by feed restriction.