The estimation of utilizable amino acids (uAA) of feeds for ruminants using an in vitro incubation technique

The in vitro incubation technique of Zhao and Lebzien (2000; Arch. Anim. Nutr. 53, 293-302) was used for the estimation of utilizable amino acids (uAA) (sum of amino acids from undegraded feed protein and microbial protein, when N is not limiting) of feeds for ruminants. The rumen fluid from a cow fed only with hay (Expt. 1) and that from a sheep fed with a mixed ration (Expt. 2) was compared with respect to estimation of uAA. In Expt. 1, 30 feeds and feed mixtures were tested and in Expt. 2, 33 feeds and feed mixtures were tested. A close linear relationship was found between the utilizable crude protein (uCP=undegraded feed protein + microbial protein) (X, g/kg) calculated from in vivo experiments and the uAA (Y, g/kg) estimated from in vitro incubations both in Expt. 1: y= 0.95 x-1.39, r2=0.85, p<0.001,n=30; and in Expt. 2: Y=0.85X-6.67,r2= 0.85,p<0.001,n=33. Statistical analysis indicates that there was a significant regressive relationship between uAA determined with the rumen fluid of a sheep (X, g/kg) and uAA determined with the rumen fluid of a cow (Y, g/kg): Y=1.06X+12.4,r2= 0.80,p<0.001,n=27. The results indicate that the in vitro incubation technique of Zhao and Lebzien (2000) can be used for the estimation of uAA of feeds for ruminants. As a rumen-fistulated cow is more expensive than a rumen-fistulated sheep, it is suggested to use a sheep fed a mixed ration as the donor of rumen fluid for the estimation of uAA of feeds with in vitro incubation. Further experiments should be performed to standardize the method and to test the most valid length of the incubation period.