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Nitrogen Balance and Abomasal Crude Protein and Amino Acids in Wethers Fed Formaldehyde-Treated Coastal Bermudagrass

Richard B. Russell Agricultural Research Center, U.S.D.A.-A.R.S.^,2, Athens, GA

Abstract

The effects of treating Coastal bermudagrass (CBG) with varying levels of formaldehyde were evaluated in a series of in vitro fermentation studies and in vivo nitrogen balance and abomasal digesta collection studies. The CBG was treated with 0, .5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0, 12.0 and 16.0% formaldehyde (w/w) and in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD) and ammonia release determined. The IVDMD decreased with increasing concentrations of formaldehyde up to the 4% treatment level and remained fairly constant thereafter. In vitro ammonia release also declined as the level of formaldehyde increased up to about 4%. Forage protein appeared to be completely unavailable to the rumen microorganisms at formaldehyde treatment levels of 8% or above. Coastal bermudagrass hay was treated with 0, .5, 1.0 or 1.5% formaldehyde and fed to growing wethers in a nitrogen balance study or to ruminal and abomasal cannulated mature wethers in an abomasal digesta collection study. There was a linear increase in fecal nitrogen excreted (P<.10) and linear decrease in urinary nitrogen excreted (P<.05) as the level of formaldehyde increased. Crude protein (nitrogen) digestion decreased (P<.05) with the formaldehyde treatment; however, dry matter digestibility was not affected (P>.10). There were linear increases (P<.005) in total crude protein, percent of dietary protein recovered, crude protein in the solid digesta and nonammonia crude protein reaching the abomasum of wethers as the level of formaldehyde increased. Nonammonia crude protein reaching the abomasum was 60.9, 67.2, 92.4 and 118.4 g/day for wethers fed the 0, .5, 1.0 and 1.5% formaldehyde treated CBG, respectively. Total amino acids and each individual amino acid reaching the abomasum were increased by the formaldehyde treatment.

¹ Research Animal Physiologist, Research Chemists and Physical Science Technician, Field Crops Research Laboratory, Athens, GA.

² Mention of a commercial product does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to the exclusion of others which may be equally suitable.