The effect of intravenous infusions of sterculic acid on milk fat synthesis

The effects of intraduodenal infusions of sterculic acid, a naturally occurring inhibitor of desaturase activity, on the yield and composition of milk were examined in a lactating goat. 2. Sterculic acid administration increased the percentage of stearic acid in milk fat, reflecting inhibition of mammary desaturase activity. Milk yield was not affected, but milk fat output decreased. Possible explanations are discussed. 3. No evidence was obtained for an alternative pathway of oleic acid synthesis from acetate.