Milk Fat Synthesis from Acetate in Mammary Gland of the Cow

Abstract

2-C14 labeled acetate was injected into one quarter of a cow''s udder. The fatty acids of milk fat from the injected quarter contained several times as much Cl4 per gram C as the corresponding fatty acids from the 3 noninjected quarters. Therefore, in milk formation the synthesis of higher fatty acids from acetate occurs, mainly in the udder.