Analyze Diet
Journal of animal science2001; 79(2); 500-506; doi: 10.2527/2001.792500x

Hydrolyzable carbohydrates in pasture, hay, and horse feeds: direct assay and seasonal variation.

Abstract: Carbohydrates may be hydrolyzed or fermented in the digestive tract, and this distinction is important for the evaluation of the diet of herbivores. Both hydrolyzable and fermentable carbohydrates are included in the nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) fraction as estimated by difference using proximate analysis. Our objectives were to measure hydrolyzable carbohydrates in forages and concentrates, to compare these values with nonstructural carbohydrate, to test for prediction of hydrolyzable carbohydrate concentration in forages from its near-infrared spectrum, and to examine seasonal variation of carbohydrates in pasture. Samples of forages (107) and concentrates (25) were collected, dried, ground, and analyzed for NSC (calculated as 100 - water - CP - fat - ash - NDF), hydrolyzable carbohydrate (CHO-H, direct analysis), and rapidly fermentable carbohydrate (NSC minus CHO-H). Hydrolyzable carbohydrate accounted for 97% or more of the NSC in the concentrates but only 33% in pasture and hay. A two-term polynomial equation fit all the data: CHO-H = 0.154 x NSC + 0.00136 x NSC2, R2 = 0.98, P < 0.0001, n = 132. In 83 pasture samples, CHO-H concentrations were predicted by near-infrared spectra with a calibration R2 of 0.97, a mean of 48 g/kg, and a SE of calibration of 3.5 g/kg DM. In pasture samples collected between September 1995 and November 1996, the coefficient of variation was 31% for both CHO-H and rapidly fermentable carbohydrate (CHO-FR); the largest increments were 31 g/kg of CHO-H from September to October and 41 g/kg of CHO-FR from February to March. The increased risk of certain diseases, such as laminitis and colic, that have been previously associated with an abrupt overload of NSC may be more precisely attributed to CHO-H in grain concentrates, and to CHO-H as well as CHO-FR in pastures.
Publication Date: 2001-02-24 PubMed ID: 11219461DOI: 10.2527/2001.792500xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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The research investigates the levels of hydrolyzable carbohydrates in different types of horse feeds, including pasture, hay, and other feeds. The study also explores the seasonal variations of these carbohydrates in pasture.

Research Objectives

  • The researchers aimed to measure hydrolyzable carbohydrates in different types of forages and concentrates.
  • They sought to compare these values with those of nonstructural carbohydrates.
  • The research also aimed to predict the concentration of the hydrolyzable carbohydrate in forages using the near-infrared spectrum.
  • The study aimed to observe any seasonal variations of the carbohydrates in pasture.

Methodology

  • The researchers collected, dried, ground, and then analyzed samples of 107 forages and 25 concentrates.
  • The samples were analyzed for nonstructural carbohydrates (calculated as 100 – water – CP – fat – ash – NDF), hydrolyzable carbohydrates (direct analysis), and rapidly fermentable carbohydrates (NSC minus hydrolyzable carbohydrates).

Findings

  • Hydrolyzable carbohydrates accounted for 97% or more of NSC in the concentrates. In contrast, they accounted for only 33% in his pasture and hay.
  • A polynomial equation fitting all the data was formed: CHO-H = 0.154 x NSC + 0.00136 x NSC2, with R2 = 0.98, P < 0.0001, n = 132.
  • In 83 pasture samples, the researchers predicted the concentrations of hydrolyzable carbohydrates using near-infrared spectra.
  • In pasture samples collected over more than a year, the coefficients of variation were 31% for both hydrolyzable and rapidly fermentable carbohydrates. The greatest increases were observed from September to October and from February to March.

Implications

  • The increased risk of certain diseases, such as laminitis and colic, that have been previously linked with an abrupt overload of NSC may now be more precisely attributed to the hydrolyzable component in grain concentrates, and both hydrolyzable and rapidly fermentable carbohydrates in pastures.

Cite This Article

APA
Hoffman RM, Wilson JA, Kronfeld DS, Cooper WL, Lawrence LA, Sklan D, Harris PA. (2001). Hydrolyzable carbohydrates in pasture, hay, and horse feeds: direct assay and seasonal variation. J Anim Sci, 79(2), 500-506. https://doi.org/10.2527/2001.792500x

Publication

ISSN: 0021-8812
NlmUniqueID: 8003002
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 79
Issue: 2
Pages: 500-506

Researcher Affiliations

Hoffman, R M
  • Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061-0306, USA. rhhoffma@vt.edu
Wilson, J A
    Kronfeld, D S
      Cooper, W L
        Lawrence, L A
          Sklan, D
            Harris, P A

              MeSH Terms

              • Animal Feed / analysis
              • Animals
              • Carbohydrate Metabolism
              • Carbohydrates / analysis
              • Dietary Carbohydrates / metabolism
              • Fabaceae / chemistry
              • Horses
              • Plants, Medicinal
              • Poaceae / chemistry
              • Poaceae / metabolism
              • Regression Analysis
              • Seasons
              • Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared / veterinary

              Citations

              This article has been cited 6 times.
              1. Lindroth KM, Lindberg JE, Johansen A, Müller CE. Feeding and Management of Horses with and without Free Faecal Liquid: A Case-Control Study.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Aug 30;11(9).
                doi: 10.3390/ani11092552pubmed: 34573518google scholar: lookup
              2. Rodrigues PG, Garcez DSM, Silva CM, Santana CCS, Santana JCS, Lopes CDC, Muniz EN, de Oliveira Júnior GM, Silva de Moura R, de Souza JC. Use of palm bran (Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm-Dyck) in partial replacement of concentrate in maintenance equine diets - a pilot study.. Arch Anim Breed 2021;64(1):273-282.
                doi: 10.5194/aab-64-273-2021pubmed: 34189255google scholar: lookup
              3. Williams CA, Kenny LB, Burk AO. Effects of grazing system, season, and forage carbohydrates on glucose and insulin dynamics of the grazing horse.. J Anim Sci 2019 May 30;97(6):2541-2554.
                doi: 10.1093/jas/skz103pubmed: 30911753google scholar: lookup
              4. O' Donnell MM, Harris HMB, Ross RP, O'Toole PW. Core fecal microbiota of domesticated herbivorous ruminant, hindgut fermenters, and monogastric animals.. Microbiologyopen 2017 Oct;6(5).
                doi: 10.1002/mbo3.509pubmed: 28834331google scholar: lookup
              5. Dyer J, Al-Rammahi M, Waterfall L, Salmon KS, Geor RJ, Bouré L, Edwards GB, Proudman CJ, Shirazi-Beechey SP. Adaptive response of equine intestinal Na+/glucose co-transporter (SGLT1) to an increase in dietary soluble carbohydrate.. Pflugers Arch 2009 Jun;458(2):419-30.
                doi: 10.1007/s00424-008-0620-4pubmed: 19048283google scholar: lookup
              6. Bailey SR, Baillon ML, Rycroft AN, Harris PA, Elliott J. Identification of equine cecal bacteria producing amines in an in vitro model of carbohydrate overload.. Appl Environ Microbiol 2003 Apr;69(4):2087-93.