Using n-alkanes to estimate herbage intake and diet composition of cattle fed with natural forages in Madagascar

Andriarimalala, José Herilalao; Dubeux, José C. B.; Jaramillo, David M.; Rakotozandriny, Jean de Neupomuscène; Salgado, Paulo

doi:10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2020.114795

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…However, most of these markers do not fully fulfil all the requirements of an ideal marker [45]. External markers are often used to estimate faecal output and digesta passage rate, whereas internal markers are usually used to estimate dry matter digestibility in ruminants [46,47]. These measurements are subsequently used to estimate diet intake [45].…”

Section: Analytical Procedures In Estimating Diet Intake In Grazing A...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several studies carried out using software based on the principles of the least-square procedures yielded results with high accuracy [5,8,47,53,65,66]. One commonly used software is the Excel-based programme Solver.…”

Section: Evaluation Of Multiple Internal Biomarkersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Internal markers have been reported to have low accuracy in digestibility estimation due to low recoveries in faeces [79]. However, subsequent reports have shown that AIA [5,51], n-alkanes [47], and INDF [87] have been used to estimate nutrient digestibility with high accuracy (R 2 > 0.75). Diet digestibility is calculated from the concentration of an internal marker in the diet and faeces, as follows:…”

Section: Estimating Digestibility Using Biomarkersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The technique of analysing n-alkanes in faeces and forage has been used in sheep [52] and cattle [46,47,88] to determine nutrient digestibility and dry matter intake. Andriarimalala et al [47] reported average faecal recoveries of 0.83 (C 31 ) and 0.89 (C33) in cattle, while in sheep, average recoveries were 0.91 (C 31 ) and 0.95 (C 33 ). Conventional internal markers in sheep are reported by Pepeta et al [5] to have average faecal recoveries of 0.88 (AIA), 0.50 (ADL), and 0.34 (MADF).…”

Section: Estimating Digestibility Using Biomarkersmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Techniques Used to Determine Botanical Composition, Intake, and Digestibility of Forages by Ruminants

et al. 2022

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The botanical and chemical composition of diets consumed by ruminants is different from the composition of plant species available in the rangeland or pastures on which they graze. Exploring alternative and improving existing methods of estimating botanical composition (diet selection) is imperative in advancing sustainable feeding practices in extensive production systems. The ability to predict the intake and digestibility of the diet consumed is important in designing grazing management for different feeding systems as well as supplementation strategies. This facilitates the efficient use of feed resources for optimal animal performance. This review assesses the merits, limitations, and potential advancements in techniques used to estimate botanical composition, forage intake, and digestibility in ruminants. Supplements containing sufficient quantity and identifiable n-alkanes can be used to determine the total forage intake in grazing ruminants without dosing the animals with synthetic even-numbered n-alkanes. When the botanical composition, intake, and digestibility of diet are estimated using internal markers, the results should be validated with those of faecal near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) or plant cuticular compounds to enhance the prediction accuracy. This should be done to determine the degree of error in the use of internal markers. Conclusively, the use of internal markers with automated solver routine software is a prudent approach to predicting botanical composition due to the analytical ease of the markers involved and the associated model assumptions.

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Section: Analytical Procedures In Estimating Diet Intake In Grazing A...mentioning

confidence: 99%