Characterization of gross composition, energy value and fatty acid profile of lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris) milk during different periods of lactation.

VAN NIEUWENHOVE, C.; PÈREZ, E.; HERNÁNDEZ, M; LUNA PIZARRO, P

CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

NATL RESEARCH COUNCIL CANADA-N R C RESEARCH PRESS

Lugar: Otawa; Año: 2014 vol. 92 p. 803 - 809

0008-4301

In this paper we evaluated gross composition, energy value and fatty acid profile of colostrum, transitional and mature milk of lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris L., 1758) from Argentina. Samples were obtained from six healthy animals kept in captive or semicaptive conditions. Proteins content varied over time from 6 to 19 g/100 g of milk; glucids from 2.4 to 5.4 g/100 g of milk and fat from 2.4 to 17.3 g/100 g of milk. Energy value also varied during time, having colostrum the highest value. Fatty acid profile revealed a unique pattern, characterized by the presence of higher amounts of lauric, miristic and pentadecanoic acids compared with other equids. Traces of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) were measured, being the only trans fatty acid detected in tapir milk. Neither butyric (C4:0) acid nor fatty acids longer than C18 were determined. The characteristics of tapir milk include high concentration of fat, caseins and whey proteins. The gross composition and SFA/UFA ratio was more similar to mare than rhinoceros milk. The current study must be taken as a point to know tapir fatty acid metabolism as well as the nutritional requirement of the newborn, as a way to improve the conservation and management strategies. Moreover, different lactational periods were evaluated in this specie for first time, contributing to the general knowledge of milk from other unknown members of Perissodactyla Order.