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The Relation between Skin Color and Fat Production in Dairy Cows¹

Section of Dairy Chemistry, Division of Agricultural Biochemistry, University of Minnesota, St. Paul

ABSTRACT

It is well established that a high yellow color in the skin secretion of dairy cattle is indicative of their ability to produce milk and butter of a high yellow color. A belief exists among Guernsey and Jersey breeders that yellow color in the skin secretions is also related to high fat production.

Definite correlation between skin color and egg production in laying hens is known to exist (1). The correlation, however, is between high egg production and low skin color. It occurs only near or at the end of the laying season.

The origin of yellow color in the skin and egg yolks of fowls, like, the origin of yellow color in the skin and butter fat of cows, is the carotinoid pigments in the diet. In fowls xanthophyll carotinoids are chiefly involved, while in cows it is carotin itself.

Palmer and Kempster (2) have shown that the xanthophyll in the hen's diet is deflected entirely to the ovaries during egg laying thus causing the skin to fade because of the removal of the supply of pigment for the skin which normally acts as one of the paths of excretion.

¹ Abstract of paper read before the Production Section of the American Dairy Science Association, St. Paul, Minnesota, October 10, 1922.