Comparison of fatty acids and cholesterol content in the milk of Pakistani cow breeds

This study evaluates the milk fatty acid (FA) composition and cholesterol content in two main dairy breeds of Pakistani cows, i.e., Red Sindhi and White Thari ( n = 2 4 for each breed). The cows were housed together and received the same diet. The results show a significant variation ( P < 0.0 5 ) in the various FA content of the two breeds. The White Thari cows produce a higher amount ( P < 0.0 5 ) of saturated fatty acids (SFA) content (60.58 g/100 g) than the Red Sindhi cows (55.53 g/100). The sum of the mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was lower in Thari breed as compared to Sindhi breed cows (26.81 vs. 30.06 g/100 g and 4.85 vs. 4.96 g/100 g). Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content was found to be higher ( P < 0.0 5 ) in Sindhi breed (1.30 g/100 g) than in Thari breed cows (1.09 g/100 g). The difference of the mean cholesterol content between the two breeds was not significant ( P > 0.0 5 ), and was found to be in the range of 10.20–19.68 mg/dl. The present study indicates that the breed of the cow has a pronounced effect on FA composition of milk, and breeding programs could be used to alter the FA composition to a profile, which would be more beneficial for human health.