Abstract:

In the present study, goat milk fatty acid profile and some of the lipogenic genes activities in milk somatic cells were evaluated during the lactation periods in Damascus goats. Relationship between fatty acid profile and lipo-genic genes during the lactation were also investigated. The lactation periods of goats were divided to three stages as early, mid and late lactation. Beside fatty acid profile, FASN, SCD, ACACA, SREBPF1, and PPARγ genes expression levels were determined in milk. It was determined that fatty acid contents of milk samples changed during the lactation (P<0.05). FASN and SCD gene expression levels were downregulated in mid and late lactation stages (P<0.05). While ACACA was almost 3 folds upregulated in mid lactation stage (P<0.05), SREBPF1 was approximately 9 folds downreg-ulated in late lactation stage (P<0.01). Also, significant correlations were found between fatty acids and lipogenic genes in different lactation stages (P<0.05). In conclusion, it was determined that Damascus goats showed different metabolic activities in different stages of lactation in terms of both fatty acid profile and some lipogenic genes. It was thought that more studies at the molecular level is needed for understanding the complex milk fatty acid profile mecha-nism of goats.

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