HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Van Keulen, J. Articles by Young, B. A. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Van Keulen, J. Articles by Young, B. A.

Evaluation of Acid-Insoluble Ash as a Natural Marker in Ruminant Digestibility Studies^{1 ,2,}

University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2E3, Canada

Abstract

Comparisons were made of the total fecal collection method and Acid-Insoluble Ash (AIA) natural marker method for determination of dry matter digestibility coefficients of rations by sheep. Three laboratory analytical procedures [Concentrated (Cone.) HCl, 4N HCl and 2N HCl] which differed in ashing sequence, ashing temperature and acid strength, were used to determine the AIA content of feed and fecal samples.

The dry matter digestibility coefficients estimated by the AIA marker method, by all three analytical procedures, were not significantly different from the coefficients determined by the traditional total fecal collection method. However, the digestibility coefficients estimated using the 4N HCl marker were higher (P<.05) than those estimated using the Cone. HCl and 2N HCl markers. The mean and standard deviation of the recoveries of marker in feces estimated using the Cone. HCl and 2N HCl analytical procedures to determine the marker content were 96.7 ± 6.7% and 95.8 ± 6.1%, respectively, and were lower (P<.05) than the recovery (103.0 ± 7.1%) estimated using the 4N HCl procedure. However, none of these measurements of recovery were themselves significantly different from 100% recovery. There was no evidence of a diurnal pattern of AIA excretion which would influence the estimation of digestibility coefficient.

The use of natural markers offers some distinct advantages over the total fecal collection method for digestibility studies. In addition to minimal time and labor involvement, quantitative measurements of feed intake and fecal output are not required and measurements can be made on single feed and fecal samples. AIA, therefore, has possible use in digestibility studies and feed testing laboratories where other methods may not be applicable. Of the three AIA analytical procedures evaluated, the 2N HCl procedure was simpler and more convenient than the Cone. HCl or the 4N HCl procedures.

¹ Research supported by National Research Council of Canada and the Alberta Agriculture Research Trust.

² Department of Animal Science.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				P. Huhtanen, J. I. Nousiainen, M. Rinne, K. Kytola, and H. Khalili Utilization and Partition of Dietary Nitrogen in Dairy Cows Fed Grass Silage-Based Diets J Dairy Sci, September 1, 2008; 91(9): 3589 - 3599. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. L. Nelson, J. R. Busboom, C. F. Ross, and J. V. O'Fallon Effects of supplemental fat on growth performance and quality of beef from steers fed corn finishing diets J Anim Sci, April 1, 2008; 86(4): 936 - 948. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. V. Pol, A. N. Hristov, S. Zaman, and N. Delano Peas Can Replace Soybean Meal and Corn Grain in Dairy Cow Diets J Dairy Sci, February 1, 2008; 91(2): 698 - 703. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Liu, G. H. Liu, F. D. Li, J. S. Sands, S. Zhang, A. J. Zheng, and Y. J. Ru Efficacy of Phytases on Egg Production and Nutrient Digestibility in Layers Fed Reduced Phosphorus Diets Poult. Sci., November 1, 2007; 86(11): 2337 - 2342. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. M. Gonzalez-Alvarado, E. Jimenez-Moreno, R. Lazaro, and G. G. Mateos Effect of Type of Cereal, Heat Processing of the Cereal, and Inclusion of Fiber in the Diet on Productive Performance and Digestive Traits of Broilers Poult. Sci., August 1, 2007; 86(8): 1705 - 1715. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. E. Foley, A. N. Hristov, A. Melgar, J. K. Ropp, R. P. Etter, S. Zaman, C. W. Hunt, K. Huber, and W. J. Price Effect of barley and its amylopectin content on ruminal fermentation and nitrogen utilization in lactating dairy cows. J Dairy Sci, November 1, 2006; 89(11): 4321 - 4335. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. N. Hristov, L. R. Kennington, M. A. McGuire, and C. W. Hunt Effect of diets containing linoleic acid- or oleic acid-rich oils on ruminal fermentation and nutrient digestibility, and performance and fatty acid composition of adipose and muscle tissues of finishing cattle J Anim Sci, June 1, 2005; 83(6): 1312 - 1321. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. N. Hristov, J. K. Ropp, K. L. Grandeen, S. Abedi, R. P. Etter, A. Melgar, and A. E. Foley Effect of carbohydrate source on ammonia utilization in lactating dairy cows J Anim Sci, February 1, 2005; 83(2): 408 - 421. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. L. Nelson, D. J. Marks, J. R. Busboom, J. D. Cronrath, and L. Falen Effects of supplemental fat on growth performance and quality of beef from steers fed barley-potato product finishing diets: I. Feedlot performance, carcass traits, appearance, water binding, retail storage, and palatability attributes J Anim Sci, December 1, 2004; 82(12): 3600 - 3610. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. N. Hristov, R. P. Etter, J. K. Ropp, and K. L. Grandeen Effect of dietary crude protein level and degradability on ruminal fermentation and nitrogen utilization in lactating dairy cows J Anim Sci, November 1, 2004; 82(11): 3219 - 3229. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. N. Hristov, K. L. Grandeen, J. K. Ropp, and M. A. McGuire Effect of Sodium Laurate on Ruminal Fermentation and Utilization of Ruminal Ammonia Nitrogen for Milk Protein Synthesis in Dairy Cows J Dairy Sci, June 1, 2004; 87(6): 1820 - 1831. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Nousiainen, K. J. Shingfield, and P. Huhtanen Evaluation of Milk Urea Nitrogen as a Diagnostic of Protein Feeding J Dairy Sci, February 1, 2004; 87(2): 386 - 398. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. Wang, B. M. Spratling, D. R. ZoBell, R. D. Wiedmeier, and T. A. McAllister Effect of alkali pretreatment of wheat straw on the efficacy of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes J Anim Sci, January 1, 2004; 82(1): 198 - 208. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. A. Cole, L. W. Greene, F. T. McCollum, T. Montgomery, and K. McBride Influence of oscillating dietary crude protein concentration on performance, acid-base balance, and nitrogen excretion of steers J Anim Sci, November 1, 2003; 81(11): 2660 - 2668. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. D. Nennich, J. G. Linn, D. G. Johnson, M. I. Endres, and H. G. Jung Comparison of Feeding Corn Silages from Leafy or Conventional Corn Hybrids to Lactating Dairy Cows J Dairy Sci, September 1, 2003; 86(9): 2932 - 2939. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. N. Hristov and J. K. Ropp Effect of Dietary Carbohydrate Composition and Availability on Utilization of Ruminal Ammonia Nitrogen for Milk Protein Synthesis in Dairy Cows J Dairy Sci, July 1, 2003; 86(7): 2416 - 2427. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M J A P Govers, N J Gannon, F R Dunshea, P R Gibson, and J G Muir Wheat bran affects the site of fermentation of resistant starch and luminal indexes related to colon cancer risk: a study in pigs Gut, December 1, 1999; 45(6): 840 - 847. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]