Digestion of hay protein in different segments of the equine digestive tract.
Abstract: Mature ponies fitted with permanent ileal cannulas were used in a 3 X 3 Latin square experiment to quantify prececal, postileal and total tract digestion of hay protein. Coastal Bermuda grass (CB), containing 11.7% crude protein, and two qualities of alfalfa, containing 15.0% (low-protein alfalfa; LA) and 18.1% (high-protein alfalfa; HA) crude protein, were fed in coarsely chopped form at 2% of body weight daily. Total tract apparent digestibility of the N in HA (73.8%) was higher than that in CB (57.0%; P less than .05) and was slightly higher than that in LA (66.1%; P less than .10). Nitrogen in LA was apparently more digestible than that in CB (P less than .05). Apparent prececal digestibilities of N in LA and CB were 1.3% and 9.6%, respectively, and were lower (P less than .05), or tended to be lower (P less than .10), than the 21.0% observed for HA. In relative terms, an average of 9.4% of the total N digestion occurred in the upper tract when CB and LA were fed, whereas 28.5% of total N digestion occurred in the foregut when HA was fed. There was a slightly higher concentration of total plasma free amino acids (P less than .10) at 1 h postfeeding when horses were fed alfalfa. Also, N retention was higher when ponies were fed HA (P less than .05) than when LA or CB were fed. Apparent postileal N digestibility was 52.5% for CB, 65.7% for LA and 66.9% for HA. Differences were not significant, and the large intestine appeared to compensate for the inefficiency of N digestion in the upper tract.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Publication Date: 1988-02-01 PubMed ID: 3372383DOI: 10.2527/jas1988.662400xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The study examines the digestion of hay protein in various sections of a horse’s digestive tract, using ponies fitted with ileal cannulas to gauge prececal, postileal, and total tract digestion. The findings indicate that the total apparent digestibility was highest in high-protein alfalfa, followed by low-protein alfalfa and Coastal Bermuda grass, respectively. The foregut also exhibited a higher percentage of total nitrogen digestion.
Research Design and Procedure
- The experiment utilized a 3 X 3 Latin square design and involved mature ponies equipped with permanent ileal cannulas. This device helps measure the digestion happening before it reaches the large intestine, known as prececal digestion.
- The ponies were fed with coarsely chopped Coastal Bermuda grass (CB), and two types of alfalfa, one with low-protein (LA) and one with high-protein (HA). These were given a daily dose of 2% of their body weight.
Key Findings
- The study found out that the total apparent digestibility of nitrogen in High-protein Alfalfa (HA) (73.8%) was higher compared to that in Coastal Bermuda grass (CB) (57.0%) and was slightly higher than that in Low-protein Alfalfa (LA) (66.1%).
- Nitrogen in LA was apparently more digestible than in CB, suggesting the protein source impacts digestibility.
- Preccecal digestibilities of nitrogen in LA and CB were lower than in HA, meaning HA showed superior digestibility before the digestion reached the large intestine.
- The study also noted a higher concentration of total plasma free amino acids (the building blocks of protein) one hour after feeding when horses were fed alfalfa, suggesting quicker digestion and absorption.
- Nitrogen retention was higher when ponies were given HA. This means more nitrogen was absorbed and utilized by the body when HA was fed.
- Despite these differences, there were no significant variations in postileal nitrogen digestibility (digestion after passing through the small intestine) among CB, LA, and HA. This can be attributed to the large intestine’s capacity to make up for the inefficiency of nitrogen digestion in the upper tract.
Cite This Article
APA
Gibbs PG, Potter GD, Schelling GT, Kreider JL, Boyd CL.
(1988).
Digestion of hay protein in different segments of the equine digestive tract.
J Anim Sci, 66(2), 400-406.
https://doi.org/10.2527/jas1988.662400x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Dept. of Anim. Sci., Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, College Station 77843.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Feed
- Animals
- Dietary Proteins / physiology
- Digestion
- Digestive System Physiological Phenomena
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Plant Proteins / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 9 times.- Loos CMM, McLeod KR, Vanzant ES, Stratton SA, Bohannan AD, Coleman RJ, van Doorn DA, Urschel KL. Differential effect of two dietary protein sources on time course response of muscle anabolic signaling pathways in normal and insulin dysregulated horses.. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:896220.
- Saastamoinen M, Särkijärvi S, Suomala H. Protein Source and Intake Effects on Diet Digestibility and N Excretion in Horses-A Risk of Environmental N Load of Horses.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Dec 15;11(12).
- Vasco ACCM, Brinkley-Bissinger KJ, Bobel JM, Dubeux JCB, Warren LK, Wickens CL. Digestibility and nitrogen and water balance in horses fed rhizoma peanut hay.. J Anim Sci 2021 Nov 1;99(11).
- Much ML, Leatherwood JL, Zoller JL, Bradbery AN, Martinez RE, Keegan AD, Lamprecht ED, Wickersham TA. Influence of diet fortification on body composition and apparent digestion in mature horses consuming a low-quality forage.. Transl Anim Sci 2020 Jan;4(1):1-9.
- Liu LL, Zhou XL, Yang HJ. Effect of Dietary Forage: Concentrate Ratio on Pre-Caecal and Total Digestive Tract Digestibility of Diverse Feedstuffs in Donkeys as Measured by the Mobile Nylon Bag Technique.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jun 20;10(6).
- Mok CH, Urschel KL. Amino acid requirements in horses.. Asian-Australas J Anim Sci 2020 May;33(5):679-695.
- Saastamoinen M, Särkijärvi S. Effect of Linseed (Linum usitatissimum) Groats-Based Mixed Feed Supplements on Diet Nutrient Digestibility and Blood Parameters of Horses.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Feb 10;10(2).
- Zeyner A, Kirchhof S, Susenbeth A, Südekum KH, Kienzle E. A new protein evaluation system for horse feed from literature data.. J Nutr Sci 2015;4:e4.
- Peloso JG, Schumacher J, McClure SR, Crabill MR, Hanselka DV, Householder DD, Potter GD. Technique for long-term ileal cannulation in ponies.. Can J Vet Res 1994 Jul;58(3):181-4.
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