Seeds are natural source of fats and proteins in dairy animal
feed, which contains unsaturated fatty acids. Some of these
seeds, especially sunflower seed contain about 40% oil and
the oils are protected in the seeds as long as has not been
crushed. Given the importance of some of these seeds and
oils to improve the performance of the animals and his reproductive
activity and also increase the percentage of unsaturated
fatty acids in milk specialty conjugated linolenic acid
(CLA) which is of great importance to human health. Therefore,
in this study we try to investigate the effect of a diet
supplemented with sunflower seed or sunflower oil on milk
production and composition and also milk fatty acids profile
in dairy goats. Fifteen lactating Damascus goats were used in
this experiment, starting by the first week of lactation stage
through a 90-d period. Goats divided into three aged groups
and assigned at random to receive one of three dietary treatments,
five animals each, using complete randomized block
design. The treatments were 1) control, 2) control +50 g/head/
day sunflower seed, and 3) control +20 mL/head/day sunflower
oil. Control ration consisted of concentrate feed mixture
(CFM):bersem clover (50:50 dry matter bases). Milk was
sampled every 2 wk during the experimental period for chemical
analysis. Results indicated that experimental additives,
especially sunflower oil had significantly increased (P < 0.05)
milk yield, fat, and lactose contents compared with the control;
however, urea nitrogen milk was decreased (P > 0.05) by
treatments compared to the control. The experimental additives
were increased (P < 0.05) unsaturated fatty acids in milk
specially [C18:2 trans-10, cis-12] and conjugated linoleic
acids (CLA). Moreover all additives increased (P > 0.05)
C18:3N3 and C18:3N6 (omega 3 and omega6) compared with
control. In conclusion, adding either whole sunflower seed or
sunflower oil to lactating goats ration had beneficial effects on
milk yield and milk composition and so enhance healthy fatty
acids (CLA and omega 3) contents in milk, without detrimental
effects on animal performance