Milk Fat Synthesis from Acetate in Mammary Gland of the Cow

Abstract

Summary

1. 2-C¹⁴ labeled acetate was injected into the milk cistern of the right front quarter of a lactating cow. This quarter was subsequently milked separately from the other 3 quarters and radioactivities of milk fat constituents from each were determined. 2. The data confirm that there is a delay of several hours between synthesis and secretion of milk fat. 3. A surprisingly small amount of the injected acetate diffused into the other 3 quarters or into the rest of the body. This can be accounted for by its rapid utilization for milk synthesis near the site of injection. 4. Fatty acids of all chain lengths and glycerol seem to be synthesized from acetate in the mammary gland itself. The glycerol synthesis, however, is on a smaller scale.