The effects of different amounts and types of fat on the extent of C18 unsaturated fatty acid hydrogenation in the rumen of sheep

The experiments were carried out in a 4 x 4 Latin square design on 4 rams o f 40 +/-5 kg body weight, fitted with permanent rumen and duodenal cannulas , to determine the influence of fat source and amount in the ration on the extent of C18 unsaturated fatty acid hydrogenation in the rumen. The basic ration for the control group consisted of meadow hay and concentrate (60:40 ). For the experimental groups this ration was supplemented with vegetable fat in the form of rape seed oil, hydrogenated rape seed oil, or linseed oi l at a level of 0 (control), 4, 8 or 10% in dry matter of the diet. There w as no influence of the type and amount of vegetable fat on the level of bio hydrogenation except in the diet containing 10% hydrogenated rape seed oil, which resulted in increased (P <0.05) C18 unsaturated fatty acid hydrogena tion in the rumen of sheep.