Procedural and mathematical considerations in urea dilution estimation of body composition in lambs

Two experiments (n = 46 and 56, respectively) were conducted to evaluate urea dilution as an estimator of body composition in lambs and to address certain procedural and mathematical considerations in this technique. In Exp. 1, 14 blood samples were taken over 240 min after urea infusion. The equation describing the urea clearance curve was: delta PUN = 9.7e-.1727(min) + 10.4e-.0021(min), pools 1 and 2, respectively (r2 = .99, P less than .001; individual lamb effects removed). In the combined experiments, urea space (US) was related to percentage of empty body water (PEBH2O) by the equation 31.7 + .471 US (empty body weight basis; r2 = .56, P less than .001). The regression equation indicates that the US-PEBH2O relationship in lambs is different from that reported in cattle, even though urea clearance kinetics are similar. Although the prediction equations appeared to be biologically valid, considerable error was associated with the composition estimates. The PEBH2O was predicted as well by live weight (r2 = .69; SEy.x = 3.0) as by US in these experiments. The two-sample method (T12 minus T0) to determine the change in marker concentration was shown to be related more closely (r2 = .56) to PEBH2O than the standard multisample extrapolation to T0 method (r2 = .0 and .38 for pools 1 and 2, respectively). An equilibration time of 9 to 12 min provided the best estimate of body composition in lambs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Efficacy of the urea dilution technique in estimating empty body composition of pigs weighing 50 kilograms

The efficacy of the urea dilution technique in estimating the empty body composition of pigs weighing 50 kg was evaluated in three trials using 17 contemporary (Large White X Landrace X Hampshire X Duroc) and 8 Nebraska Gene Pool X contemporary pigs. Blood samples were collected via ear catheter before infusion (-60, -30 and 0 min) and at various times (3 to 90 min) after urea infusion (2.16 mmol/kg live BW), and analyzed for plasma urea. Backfat thickness of live pigs from the contemporary line was measured ultrasonically. Pigs then were killed by euthanasic injection, and total bodies (with gastrointestinal contents removed) were analyzed for water, protein and fat. In Trials 1 and 2, there were linear relationships (P less than .001) between chemically determined body water and fat and between body water and protein. Urea space was related (P less than .05) to empty body components with few exceptions, but regression coefficients for urea space in Trial 3 were different from those of Trials 1 and 2. Inclusion of additional independent variables with urea space improved estimation of empty body components. Although backfat alone did not estimate empty body components (except fat) as well as urea space alone, the addition of other common independent variables resulted in better estimates using backfat than urea space. The results of this experiment indicate that the urea dilution technique can be used to estimate the body composition of growing pigs. However, the accuracy obtained depended on the population of pigs being investigated and was no greater than the accuracy with appropriate equations based on backfat.     

Prediction of empty body components in steers by urea dilution

Empty body composition of 68 mixed-breed and 50 Angus steers was determined by chemical analysis of the right half-carcass and entire noncarcass fraction of each steer. Chemical composition was used to develop prediction equations for empty body protein (EBPRO) and fat (EBFAT) in steers using urea space (US) and body weight measurements. Previous research showed a significant positive correlation between empty body water (EBH2O) and urea space in these steers. For all steers studied, the percentage of EBH2O ranged from 44.8 to 69.2 (mean = 56.0), the percentage of EBPRO ranged from 14.1 to 19.8 (mean = 17.0) and the percentage of EBFAT ranged from 6.1 to 38.1 (mean = 22.1). The best predictions obtained were multiple regression equations with actual weight of body components as dependent variables and US and empty body weight (EB) as independent variables. Urea space alone was a poor predictor of EBFAT, but US improved predictions based on live weight (LW) or EB alone. Coefficients of determination for the best predictions of percentage of composition were not as high as coefficients of determination for the best predictions of actual weight of body components. These data suggest that US measurements can be used to predict empty body composition of live steers, but this may require repeated measurements and an independent estimate of EB from LW for greatest accuracy.     

Evaluation of urea dilution as a technique for estimating body composition of beef steers in vivo: validation of published equations and comparison with chemical composition

Urea dilution equations for prediction of empty body water in live cattle, developed by three separate groups of investigators, were evaluated by comparing empty body water calculated by these equations with that measured chemically in 6-, 12- and 18-mo-old crossbred beef steers (n = 10, 9 and 9, respectively). Of four equations for prediction of percent empty body water, one derived from mixed-breeds of steers overestimated empty body water in the 6-mo-old steers by 7.59% (P less than .05). For the 12- and 18-mo-old steers, calculated and measured percent empty body water did not differ (P greater than .05). Of seven equations for calculation of empty body water volume, two derived from Angus steers with an without live weight in the equation, and one derived from a combination of Angus and mixed-breeds of steers overestimated empty body water (P less than .05) in the 6-mo-old steers. No differences (P greater than .05) between calculated and measured empty body water volume were observed for either the 12- or 18-mo-old steers. When calculated empty body water values were regressed against that measured directly, all regression slopes were not different from 1 (P greater than .05). Intercepts from regressions involving percent empty body water (four equations) were not different from 0. Three of the seven equations for calculation of empty body water volume, one derived from bulls and the others from Angus steers had intercept estimates not different (P greater than .05) from 0. Validity required that these regressions have slopes not different from 1 and intercepts not different from 0. Empty body water calculated from equations that combined live weight and urea space were more highly correlated with directly measured empty body water than that calculated from equations derived only from urea space. Urea space correlations with body composition of our steers also were improved when live weight was included with urea space in multiple regression models. Results of this study suggest that before using any prediction equation for calculating body composition of cattle in vivo, equations should be tested with a sub-sample of cattle from the population for which its use is intended.     

Effect of urea on growth,food utilisation and body composition of chicks

1. A study was made of the effect of urea, added to chick diets of different protein contents with or without added methionine, on growth and body composition.

2. In chicks fed on diets containing urea, concentrations of urea were higher in the blood and digestive tract but not in the excreta, as compared with chicks fed on diets containing soyabean as the only source of protein.

3. Urea‐nitrogen was utilised better for growth when the diets were supplemented with methionine rather than unsupplemented.

4. Body fat content was decreased with the increase in protein content of the diet. Addition of urea decreased body fat less than an equivalent amount of protein.

5. There was no correlation between body fat and body weight in groups fed on diets containing 189 or 216 g protein/kg, but there was a significant correlation between these variables in groups fed on diets containing 292 g protein/kg or either concentration of urea. This phenomenon was much more pronounced in diets not supplemented with methionine.     

Evaluation of the use of deuterium oxide dilution techniques for determination of body composition of beef steers

Body composition as estimated by a one- or two-compartment deuterium oxide dilution technique was compared with directly measured body composition of 15 large- and 15 small-frame steers. Body composition of the steers was measured at 219, 412 and 603 kg live weight. Empty body protein was overestimated (P less than .05) 3.6% from a one-compartment model (1 CM, using the slope, intercept method), while empty body protein was underestimated (P less than .05) 5.4% from a two-compartment kinetic model (2CM). Empty body ether extract estimated by 1 CM was not significantly different from the direct method, although 4.7% larger. Empty body ether extract was overestimated (P less than .001) 32.2% by the 2CM. Empty body water was accurately estimated from the 1CM when a 3.2% correction factor was used for the overestimation of total body water by the 1CM, but water in gastrointestinal tract contents was overestimated (P less than .001) 13.4% by the 1CM. Empty body water was underestimated (P less than .001) 7.8% by the 2CM, and water in gastrointestinal tract contents was overestimated (P less than .001) 41.8% by the 2CM due to its dependence on regression equations that differ between groups of cattle. The 2CM offered no advantage over the 1CM. A three-compartment model was not better than the 2CM in estimating body water compartments. Assuming the amount of empty body water associated with either empty body protein or ash to be constant seemed to be valid. Suggested values calculated from data presented in the literature for growing cattle with an empty body weight greater than 175 kg are .302 and .0668, respectively, for the ratios of protein and ash to water. The relationship between empty body fat and water was, percentage empty body fat = 94.27--(1.267)(percentage empty body water), which had a 1.25 residual standard deviation and a .98 coefficient of determination.     

日粮添加包被尿素对乳山羊泌乳性能、乳成分及瘤胃发酵参数的影响

文章旨在评估日粮添加包被尿素替代豆粕对乳山羊泌乳性能、养分摄入、乳成分及瘤胃发酵参数的影响.试验将32头平均泌乳期为(68±3)d的乳山羊随机分为2组,每组16头,每组8个重复(2头/重复).对照组饲喂玉米-青贮玉米-豆粕型全混合日粮,处理组饲喂用30％包被尿素替代豆粕的全混合日粮,饲养试验持续5周.结果:日粮添加30...     

Improving the quality of rice straw by urea and calcium hydroxide on rumen ecology,microbial protein synthesis in beef cattle

Four rumen‐fistulated beef cattle were randomly assigned to four treatments according to a 4 × 4 Latin square design to study the influence of urea and calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)₂] treatment of rice straw to improve the nutritive value of rice straw. Four dietary treatments were as follows: untreated rice straw, 50 g/kg urea‐treated rice straw, 20 g/kg urea + 20 g/kg calcium hydroxide‐treated rice straw and 30 g/kg urea + 20 g/kg calcium hydroxide‐treated rice straw. All animals were kept in individual pens and fed with concentrate at 0.5 g/kg of BW (DM), rice straw was fed ad libitum. The experiment was conducted for four periods, and each period lasted for 21 days. During the first 14 days, DM feed intake measurements were made while during the last 7 days, all cattle were moved to metabolism crates for total faeces and urine collections. The results revealed that 20 g/kg urea + 20 g/kg calcium hydroxide‐treated rice straw improved the nutritive value of rice straw, in terms of dry matter intake, digestibility, ruminal volatile fatty acids, population of bacteria and fungi, nitrogen retention and microbial protein synthesis. Based on this study, it could be concluded that using urea plus calcium hydroxide was one alternative method to improve the nutritive value of rice straw, rumen ecology and fermentation and thus a reduction of treatment cost.     

The composition of rumen fluid of cattle collected from fistulas using ultrasound]

Concentrations of rumen fluid characteristics were compared between rumen fluid which was taken by standardized conditions via stomach tube and via rumen fistula respectively depending on time after feeding (2.5 or 9 hours ppr.). The results were as follows: Differences (%) of the characteristics of rumen fluid taken via stomach tube to that by rumen fistula: [table: see text] Other investigations showed that the admixture of saliva to rumen fluid resulted in a degradation of the concentrations especially of VFA. The pH was not appreciable changed. The consequences for veterinary practitioners are discussed.     

尿素及其缓释产品在反刍动物上的应用

本文综述了尿素和尿素缓释产品的营养特性及其在反刍动物上的应用。     

Fistulization of the rumen in cattle

Various surgical techniques and two types of fistulas were tested when they were installed (Firm and PVC rumen cannulas were applied in 35 and 12 animals). We consider that the simplest process of installing the fixed rumen fistula is the total resection of abdominal wall together with peritoneum and following fixation of rumen to the abdominal wall with knot stitches and with removal of rumen wall between the stitches in the shape of circle. This process can be mastered by two people without particular equipment in approx. 30. minutes. When installing the PVC fistulas we prefer their fixation in rumen with help of seromuscular circular stitches followed by leading out the fistula off the main cut.     

Development of a method for determination of cyanide concentrations in serum and rumen fluid of cattle

OBJECTIVES: To develop a reliable method for measurement of cyanide concentrations in cattle, using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and establish reference ranges of cyanide concentrations in cattle. ANIMALS: 52 Fleckvieh cattle. PROCEDURE: Cattle were allocated to 3 groups; 12 were fed leguminous grass and hay, 36 were fed whole-maize and corn-cob silages, and 4 were fed other feedstuffs. Samples of blood, rumen fluid, and liver were collected at time of slaughter. Serum, rumen fluid, and liver homogenate were assayed for cyanide content, using a derivatization procedure. A technique for analysis by GC-MS that used selected ion monitoring was developed. RESULTS: Compared with a spectrophotometric method, detection of cyanide in serum and rumen fluid by use of GC-MS was selective and sensitive, with a limit of detection of 0.7 microM. Spectrophotometric analysis yielded false-negative and false-positive results. Thus, the GC-MS method was used for subsequent analysis. In all cattle except 1, cyanide concentration ranged from < 0.7 to 35 microM in serum and from < 0.7 to 28 microM in rumen fluid; cyanide concentration in that 1 animal was 206 microM. Cattle fed clover, grass, grass hay, and clover hay had 8.3- to 8.6-fold higher mean cyanide concentrations in rumen fluid and serum than cattle fed whole-maize and corn-cob silages. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results of this study suggest a reference range that should be useful for aiding in the diagnosis of cyanide poisoning. Also, cattle can apparently accommodate a serum cyanide concentration of 206 microM without adverse effects.