Effectiveness of medium-chain fatty acids on feed intake and weight gain in animal: Depending on balance

Medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) has been used in animal production, not only as an energy substance, but also as a kind of functional material, especially in pig production. At present, however, the action mechanism of MCFAs on ingestion and growth is not fully clear. In addition, there is no consensus for effect of MCFAs on feed intake and weight gain in animals. In this review, we summarized the information from comprehensive and rational arguments for the role of MCFAs on feed intake and weight gain in monogastric animal studies(mainly in rats and pigs). As a result, the supplementation level of MCFAs in diet is a key influence factor on animal ingestion, of which underlying action mechanism may be attributed to influence of MCFAs on appetite hormones (mainly, insulin and Acyl ghrelin) and fluctuation of energy balance. Additionally, the influence of MCFAs on growth performance is related to addition level of MCFAs, the types of MCFAs, characteristics of based diet, as well as the physiological status of animal. The effectiveness of MCFAs on ingestion and weight gain depend on the balance of the various influence factors.