Fig. 8

Triacylglycerol (TAG) metabolites were significantly reduced in pasture-finished bison (Bi_pasture) when compared to pen-finished bison (Bi_pen), while long-chain acyl carnitines were elevated. Long-chain acyl carnitines transport fatty acids to the mitochondria for β-oxidation as opposed to storage as lipids. We consider these findings to further reflect that the pasture-finished bison were metabolically healthier as compared to the pen-finished animals. Dark green colors indicate compounds were higher in grass-fed bison, while red colors indicate compounds were higher in pen-finished bison. Yellow numbers indicate a significant difference (P < 0.05); blue numbers and light red coloring indicates a trend for differences (P < 0.10)