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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 20 November 2017
Current thinking suggests that the saturated fatty acids myristic (C14:0) and palmitic (C16:0) are major risk factors in cardiovascular disease compared to longer chain fatty acids such as stearic (C18:0) and oleic (C18:1). Milk fat is rich in C14:0 and C16:0 because these fatty acids can be manufactured in the bovine mammary gland from glycerol and free fatty acids. Rapeseed oil is a rich source of oleic acid, and feeding whole rapeseed to dairy cows has been shown to increase the C18:1 content of milk fat (Murphy et al, 1995). However, increasing the unsaturated fat content of milk has led to suggestions that oxidative stability may be effected. Feeding high levels of a natural antioxidant such as vitamin E may enhance milk stability and improve its' nutritive value. This study investigated the effect of feeding various amounts of whole cracked rapeseed and vitamin E on animal performance, and the levels of fatty acids and vitamin E in milk fat.