This study aimed to assess the impact of soybean isoflavone (SIF) on milk production and composition in dairy goats. In vivo experiments revealed that SIF supplementation (100 mg/d) significantly raised serum estrogen and prolactin levels, resulting in increased milk yield and fat content compared to the control group. In vitro analysis demonstrated that SIF (75 µM) promoted cell proliferation and triacylglycerol synthesis in goat mammary epithelial cells. It also upregulated genes related to milk fat synthesis, such as FASN, SREBP1c, ACACA, and ACSS2. Notably, SIF mitigated the suppressive effect of MK2206 on Akt protein phosphorylation and its effects on lipid droplet accumulation were abrogated by estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) knockdown. This research underscores that SIF plays a crucial role in process of fatty acid de novo in goat mammary glands, mediated via the ERα-Akt axis, highlighting its potential benefits in dairy goat farming for improved milk production and quality.

Read the full article in the Journal of Animal Science.