What question did this study set out to answer?

Compare the acid-insoluble ash (AIA) natural marker method across three laboratory analytical procedures against the conventional total fecal collection method for evaluating ration digestibility in sheep.

February 1, 1977Journal of Animal Science

Evaluation of Acid-Insoluble Ash as a Natural Marker in Ruminant Digestibility Studies

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Authors

JKJ. Van KeulenUniversity of Alberta BYBruce A. YoungA.T. Still University

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Implication

Comparative study demonstrates accurate dry matter digestibility estimation via acid-insoluble ash in sheep, indicating a practical alternative to total fecal collection.

Key Points

Compare the acid-insoluble ash (AIA) natural marker method across three laboratory analytical procedures against the conventional total fecal collection method for evaluating ration digestibility in sheep.
Compared total fecal collection with the AIA natural marker method to determine dry matter digestibility coefficients in sheep.
Evaluated three AIA laboratory procedures (concentrated HCl, 4N HCl, and 2N HCl) varying in ashing sequence, ashing temperature, and acid strength.
Quantified fecal marker recovery rates and examined diurnal variation in AIA excretion patterns.
Dry matter digestibility coefficients estimated by all three AIA procedures did not differ significantly from those determined by total fecal collection, though 4N HCl gave higher estimates than concentrated or 2N HCl (P < .05).
Fecal marker recovery rates were 96.7 ± 6.7% for concentrated HCl, 95.8 ± 6.1% for 2N HCl, and 103.0 ± 7.1% for 4N HCl (lower for conc. and 2N vs 4N, P < .05; none differed significantly from 100%).
No diurnal pattern of AIA excretion was detected, and the 2N HCl analytical protocol provided the simplest and most convenient procedure.

Cite This Study

Keulen et al. (1977) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69d727ac8a0e2c5879befa5e https://doi.org/10.2527/jas1977.442282x

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Implication

Comparative study demonstrates accurate dry matter digestibility estimation via acid-insoluble ash in sheep, indicating a practical alternative to total fecal collection.

Evaluation of Acid-Insoluble Ash as a Natural Marker in Ruminant Digestibility Studies

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Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Evaluation of Acid-Insoluble Ash as a Natural Marker in Ruminant Digestibility Studies

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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