Lipid Synthesis in the Beef Animal

Authors

Ronald L. Prior, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center
Stephen B. Smith, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center

Date of this Version

1982

Document Type

Article

Comments

Published in Beef Research Program Progress Report (1982) No. 1: 34-35

Abstract

Rates of in vitro fat synthesis from acetate and lactate were compared to the activities of enzymes thought to be involved in the process of lipid synthesis from lactate. Results of these studies indicate that lactate can be incorporated into fats by a pathway heretofore thought to be nonfunctional in ruminants, the citrate cleavage:malic enzyme pathway. Studies of the effects of age and diet on the enzymes of the citrate cleavage:malic enzyme pathway support the concept of a physiological role for this pathway in lipid synthesis in beef cattle.