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Nuclear based technologies for estimating microbial protein supply in ruminant livestock.
Proceedings of the second Research Co-ordination Meeting of a Co-ordinated Research Project (Phase 1) organized by the
Animal Production and Health (APH), Joint FAO/IAEA Programme and held in Vienna, 24-28 August 1998,
IAEA-TECDOC-1093, IAEA, Vienna (1999).
Summary
The measurement of microbial protein supply to ruminant livestock has been an important area of research in ruminant nutrition. An estimate of microbial protein contribution to the intestinal protein flow is important for estimating the protein requirement of ruminant animals. Understanding the process of microbial protein synthesis has been difficult however, and due to the lack of simple and accurate methods for measuring microbial protein production in vivo, the methods used are based on complex microbial markers which require surgically prepared animals.
Under a Technical Contract awarded to the Rowett Research Institute, United Kingdom, a simple calorimetric technique was developed to analyse purine derivatives in urine. Using this test, knowledge of endogenous excretion and other factors affecting the production and excretion of purine derivatives, makes it possible to predict microbial protein supply to the host animal. However, the method was developed mainly for European breeds of cattle and sheep. Cattle and sheep differ markedly in their endogenous excretions and there is evidence to suggest that zebu (Bos indicus) cattle and buffaloes differ in their rate of purine excretion and may require a prediction model different to that of European breeds.
As a result of a Consultants meeting held in May 1995 to advise the Joint FAO/IAEA Division on the feasibility of using nuclear and related techniques for the development and validation of techniques for measuring microbial protein supply in ruminant animals, an FAO/IAEA Co-ordinated Research Project (CRP) on ‘Development, Standardization and Validation of Nuclear Based Technologies for Measuring Microbial Protein Supply in Ruminant Livestock for Improving Productivity’ was initiated in 1996, with a view to validating and adapting this technology for use in developing countries.
To assist scientists participating in the CRP, a laboratory manual containing experimental protocols and methodologies for standardization and validation of the urine purine derivative technique and the development of models to suit local conditions, was published as IAEA-TECDOC-954 in 1997.
The present publication contains the final reports from participants in Phase 1 of the project presented at the Second Research Co-ordination Meeting held at the Vienna International Centre, IAEA, Vienna, Austria, from 24 to 28 August 1998.
Contact: aph-webcontact@iaea.org.