FATTY-ACID COMPOSITION OF VERATA GOAT KIDS FED EITHER GOAT MILK OR COMMERCIAL MILK REPLACER

Fatty acid composition of perirenal fat of young Verata male and female kids fed with natural milk and with three concentrations of commercial milk replacer was studied. There was no effect associated with sex. In each gender the only statistical difference in fatty acid composition between the four feeding groups under study were pentadecanoic acid (C15:0), heptadecanoic acid (C17:0) and heptadecenoic acid (C17:1) which were higher in all cases in naturally fed kids (P < 0.05). The origin of odd-numbered fatty acids in depot fats of goat kids is discussed considering the possible role of microbial rumen synthesis in goat kids or the direct incorporation from the milk (or milk replacer) fat. The relatively low stearic concentration in perirenal fat in all groups (around 15%) suggest low ruminal activity. Determination of C15:0, C17:0 and C17:1 in perirenal fat could help differentiate the feeding system of young kids and might be useful for identification purposes of goat kid carcasses.