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A basic diet of hay and concentrate, the latter supplemented with olive oil calcium soap (7% as fed) was given to 11<br />Massese ewes (group S) for a 3-month period, while a basic diet without the supplement was given to 11 control Massese<br />ewes (group C) during the same period. Fatty acid composition of milk produced from the 5th to the 16th week post-partum<br />was evaluated monthly.<br />In group S, the fatty acids C6:0, C8:0, C10:0, C12:0, C14:0, C14:1, C18:3n-6 and C20:3n-3 (P<0.01) decreased significantly<br />and C16:0, C18:1, total CLA, C20:0, C20:1, C20:2, C20:5n-3 (EPA), C23:0 (P<0.01) and C18:2 (P<0.05)<br />increased with respect to the control group C. This trend lead to a decrease in short-chain fatty acids (P<0.05), an<br />increase in unsaturated fatty acids (P<0.01), particularly MUFA, and an improved UFA/SFA ratio in group S (P<0.01). The<br />lactation phase also significantly influenced fatty acid composition: the unsaturated/saturated fatty acids ratio was higher<br />at the end of the lactation period.<br />It can be concluded that the addition of protected olive oil fats to the diet of lactating ewes may improve fatty acid milk<br />composition. In addition, the final phase of production positively affects milk quality relative to human health.