Protein utilisation in response to caecal corn starch in ponies.

The research article presents findings on how administering corn starch into the caecum of ponies influences protein utilization. The study shows that this process improves nitrogen retention and digestive efficiency.

Study Design and Approach

• The study involved four ponies and was conducted using a Latin square experimental design.
• Corn starch was administered into the ponies’ caecum at varying levels: 0.0, 0.2, 0.4 or 0.6 g/kg body weight/day.
• The ponies’ diet consisted of dehydrated alfalfa pellets.

Measurements and Outcomes

• Various outcomes, including nitrogen retention, protein and dry matter digestions, total plasma protein, plasma urea nitrogen, plasma ammonia, and plasma-free amino acids, were assessed.
• The administration of corn starch resulted in increased nitrogen retention.
• The highest nitrogen retention was observed with the administration of 0.4 g/kg body weight of corn starch per day.
• The percentages of nitrogen retention were significantly higher when corn starch was administered to the caecum.

Effect on Digestion and Protein Levels

• Corn starch administration tended to enhance digestion coefficients for dry matter and protein.
• No change was observed in total plasma protein concentration due to the treatment.
• However, a decrease in plasma ammonia level was observed at the 0.4 g/kg body weight treatment level when corn starch was administered via the caecum.

Effects on Plasma Amino Acid Concentrations

• In ponies that were given caecal corn starch, there seemed to be an increase in concentrations of some essential amino acids, including arginine, threonine, leucine, isoleucine, and phenylalanine.
• Non-essential amino acids like tyrosine, serine, proline, and glycine were also observed to increase.
• At the 0.2 g/kg body weight treatment level, a slight increase in glycine concentration was observed too.

Conclusion

• The results of this study suggest that administering corn starch into the pony’s caecum leads to a more efficient utilisation of nitrogen by the large intestine, indicating an improvement in protein utilization.