Feeding Conjugated Linoleic Acids (CLA) Decreases Lipogenesis and Alters Expression of Lipogenic Genes in Porcine Adipose Tissue

Purdue University 2000 Swine Research Report. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a mixture of isomers of linoleic acid that act to reduce body fat in laboratory species (West et al., 1998; Park et al., 1999; Chin et al, 1994; Yamasaki et al., 1999) and pigs (Ostrowska et al., 1999; Muller et al., 1999). These fatty acids are commonly found in ruminant meat and milk (Lin et al., 1995) as a result of a biochemical modification of linoleic acid in the rumen, followed by absorption and incorporation of these fatty acids into animal products (Kepler et al., 1966). Alternatively, plant oils can be processed to increase their CLA content, which may prove to be a valuable source of CLA for use in modifying lipid metabolism in livestock and humans.