Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-75dct Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-05-11T12:44:56.824Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Determination of digesta flow entering the omasal canal of dairy cows using different marker systems

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 June 2007

Seppo Ahvenjärvi ,
Aila Vanhatalo ,
Kevin J. Shingfield  and
Pekka Huhtanen
Seppo Ahvenjärvi*
Affiliation:
MTT Agrifood Research Finland, FIN-31600 Jokioinen, Cambridge CB2 3EG, Finland
Aila Vanhatalo
Affiliation:
MTT Agrifood Research Finland, FIN-31600 Jokioinen, Cambridge CB2 3EG, Finland
Kevin J. Shingfield
Affiliation:
MTT Agrifood Research Finland, FIN-31600 Jokioinen, Cambridge CB2 3EG, Finland School of Food Biosciences, The University of Reading, Po Box 226, Reading RG6 6AP, UK
Pekka Huhtanen
Affiliation:
MTT Agrifood Research Finland, FIN-31600 Jokioinen, Cambridge CB2 3EG, Finland
*
*Corresponding author: Dr S. Ahvenjärvi, fax +358 3 4188 3661, email seppo.ahvenjarvi@mtt.fi
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Four studies were conducted to compare the effect of four indigestible markers (LiCoEDTA, Yb-acetate, Cr-mordanted straw and indigestible neutral-detergent fibre (INDF)) and three marker systems on the flow of digesta entering the omasal canal of lactating dairy cows. Samples of digesta aspirated from the omasal canal were pooled and separated using filtration and high-speed centrifugation into three fractions defined as the liquid phase, small particulate and large particulate matter. Co was primarily associated with the liquid phase, Yb was concentrated in small particulate matter, whilst Cr and INDF were associated with large particles. Digesta flow was calculated based on single markers or using the reconstitution system based on combinations of two (Co + Yb, Co + Cr and Co + INDF) or three markers (Co + Yb + Cr and Co + Yb + INDF). Use of single markers resulted in large differences between estimates of organic matter (OM) flow entering the omasal canal suggesting that samples were not representative of true digesta. Digesta appeared to consist of at least three phases that tended to separate during sampling. OM was concentrated in particulate matter, whilst the liquid phase consisted mainly of volatile fatty acids and inorganic matter. Yb was intimately associated with nitrogenous compounds, whereas Cr and INDF were concentrated in fibrous material. Current data indicated that marker systems based on Yb in combination with Cr or INDF are required for the accurate determination of OM, N and neutral-detergent fibre flow. In cases where the flow of water-soluble nutrients entering the omasal canal is also required, the marker system should also include Co.

Keywords

Dairy CowsDigestibilityMarkersRumenOmasum
Type
Research Article
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 90 , Issue 1 , July 2003 , pp. 41 - 52
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 2003

References

AFRC (1990) Nutritive requirements of ruminant animals: energy. Nutr Abstr Rev 60B, 729–804.Google Scholar
AFRC (1992) Nutritive requirements of ruminant animals: energy. Nutr Abstr Rev 62B, 787–835.Google Scholar
Ahvenjärvi, S, Joki-Tokola, E, Vanhatalo, A, Jaakkola, S & Huhtanen, P (2002 a) Effects of gradual replacement of grass silage with whole-crop barley silage on ruminal metabolism, digestibility and milk production in dairy cows. In The XIIIth International Silage Conference. pp 320–321. [Gechie, LM and Thomas, C, editors]. Auchincruive, UK: SAC.Google Scholar
Ahvenjärvi, S, Skiba, B & Huhtanen, P (2001) Effect of heterogeneous digesta chemical composition on the accuracy of measurements of fiber flow in dairy cows. J Anim Sci 79, 1611–1620.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ahvenjärvi, S, Vanhatalo, A & Huhtanen, P (2002 b) Supplementing barley or rapeseed meal to dairy cows fed grass-red clover silage: 1. Rumen degradability and microbial flow. J Anim Sci 80, 2176–2187.Google ScholarPubMed
Ahvenjärvi, S, Vanhatalo, A, Huhtanen, P & Varvikko, T (1999) Effects of supplementation of a grass silage and barley diet with urea, rapeseed meal and heat-moisture-treated rapeseed cake on omasal digesta flow and milk production in lactating dairy cows. Acta Agric Scand 49A, 179–189.Google Scholar
Ahvenjärvi, S, Vanhatalo, A, Huhtanen, P & Varvikko, T (2000) Determination of reticulo-rumen and whole-stomach digestion in lactating cows by omasal canal or duodenal sampling. Br J Nutr 83, 67–77.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Combs, DK & Satter, LD (1992) Determination of markers in digesta and feces by direct current plasma emission spectroscopy. J Dairy Sci 75, 2176–2182.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Combs, DK, Shaver, RD & Satter, LD (1992) Retention of rare earths by hay particles following incubation in fresh or autoclaved rumen fluid. J Dairy Sci 75, 132–139.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ellis, WC, Wylie, MJ & Matis, JH (2002) Validity of specifically applied rare earth elements and compartmental models for estimating flux of undigested plant tissue residues through the gastrointestinal tract of ruminants. J Anim Sci 80, 2753–2758.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Faichney, GJ (1975) The use of markers to partition digestion within the gastrointestinal tract of ruminants. In Digestion and Metabolism in the Ruminant. Proceedings of the IVth International Symposium on Ruminant Physiology, pp. 277–291. [McDonald, IW and Warner, ACI, editors]. Sydney, Australia: The University of New England Publishing Unit.Google Scholar
Faichney, GJ (1993) Digesta flow. In Quantitative Aspects of Ruminant Digestion and Metabolism. pp 53–85. [Forbes, JM and France, J, editors]. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.Google Scholar
Faichney, GJ, Poncet, C & Lassalas, B, et al. (1997) Effect of concentrates in a hay diet on the contribution of anaerobic fungi, protozoa and bacteria to nitrogen in rumen and duodenal digesta in sheep. Anim Feed Sci Technol 64, 193–213.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
France, J & Siddons, RC (1986) Determination of digesta flow by continuous marker infusion. J Theor Biol 121, 105–119.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gill, M, Robinson, PH & Kennelly, JJ (1999) Diurnal patterns in rumen volume and composition of digesta flowing into the duodenum. Anim Sci 69, 237–249.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Holt, NW (1993) Calibration curves for the determination of low levels of chromium in feces. Can J Anim Sci 73, 109–115.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Huhtanen, P, Brotz, PG & Satter, LD (1997) Omasal sampling technique for assessing fermentative digestion in the forestomach of dairy cows. J Anim Sci 75, 1380–1392.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Huhtanen, P, Kaustell, K & Jaakkola, S (1994) The use of internal markers to predict total digestibility and duodenal flow of nutrients in cattle given six different diets. Anim Feed Sci Technol 48, 211–227.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Huida, L, Väätäinen, H & Lampila, M (1986) Comparison of dry matter contents in grass silages as determined by oven drying and gas chromatographic water analysis. Ann Agric Fenniae 25, 215–230.Google Scholar
Littell, RC, Milliken, GA, Stroup, WW & Wolfinger, RD (1996) SAS System for Mixed Models. Cary, NC: SAS Institute Inc.Google Scholar
National Research Council (2001) Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle. 7th revised ed., National Academic Press: Washington, DC.Google Scholar
Ortigues, I, Oldham, JD, Smith, T, de Courtenay, MB & Siviter, JW (1990) A comparison between ytterbium acetate, ruthenium phenanthroline and indigestible acid detergent fibre in a double-marker system for intestinal flow measurements in steers. J Agric Sci 114, 69–77.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Owens, FN & Hanson, CF (1992) External and internal markers for appraising site and extent of digestion in ruminants. J Dairy Sci 75, 2605–2617.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Satter, LD, Lopez-Guisa, JM & Combs, DK (1987) Utilization of maize crop residues by growing dairy heifers and use of rare earth elements as digesta markers in the gut. In Isotope Aided Studies on Non-protein Nitrogen and Agro-industrial By-products Utilization by Ruminants, pp 89–101. Vienna, Austria: International Atomic Energy Agency.Google Scholar
Siddons, RC, Paradine, J, Beever, DE & Cornell, PR (1985) Ytterbium acetate as a particulate-phase digesta-flow marker. Br J Nutr 54, 509–519.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
St-Pierre, NR (2001) Invited review: Integrating quantitative findings from multiple studies using mixed model methodology. J Dairy Sci 84, 741–755.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Titgemeyer, EC (1997) Design and interpretation of nutrient digestion studies. J Anim Sci 75, 2235–2247.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Udén, P, Colucci, PE & Van Soest, PJ (1980) Investigation of chromium, cerium and cobalt as markers in digesta. Rate of passage studies. J Sci Food Agric 31, 625–632.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Van Soest, PJ, Robertson, JB & Lewis, BA (1991) Methods for dietary fiber, neutral detergent fiber and nonstarch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition. J Dairy Sci 74, 3583–3597.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Williams, CH, David, D & Riismaa, O (1962) The determination of chromic oxide in faeces samples by atomic absorption spectrometry. J Agric Sci 59, 381–385.CrossRefGoogle Scholar