Register      Login
Animal Production Science Animal Production Science Society
Food, fibre and pharmaceuticals from animals
RESEARCH ARTICLE

True dry matter digestibility of feeds evaluated in situ with different bags and in vitro using rumen fluid collected from intact donor cows

Franco Tagliapietra A E , Mirko Cattani A , Ida K. Hindrichsen B , Hanne H. Hansen C , Stefania Colombini D , Lucia Bailoni A and Stefano Schiavon A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy.

B Animal Health and Nutrition, Hansen A/S, Bøge Allé 10-12, 2970, Denmark.

C Department of Large Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 2, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark.

D Department of Animal Science, University of Milan, Via Giovanni. Celoria, 2, 20133 Milan, Italy.

E Corresponding author. Email: franco.tagliapietra@unipd.it

Animal Production Science 52(5) 338-346 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN11206
Submitted: 27 September 2011  Accepted: 2 February 2012   Published: 10 May 2012

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the comparability of the true dry matter digestibility (TDMd) achieved in situ with either traditional nylon bags (IS nylon) or synthetic filter bags (IS filter), and in vitro with either conventional bottles (CB) or the DaisyII incubation technique, using rumen fluid collected by oro-ruminal suction from intact cows. The four TDMd results were compared by linear regression. For each method, 11 feeds were incubated for 48 h in two separate incubations. The reproducibility of TDMd measurements was 97.9%, 95.1%, 98.8% and 96.0% for IS nylon, IS filter, CB and DaisyII, respectively. The determination coefficient, the slope (b), and the significant difference of the slope from unity, of the linear relationship between TDMd values (g/kg DM) were as follows: IS nylon v. IS filter, R2 = 0.97, b = 0.86, P = 0.02; IS nylon v. CB, R2 = 0.90, b = 1.02, P = 0.27; IS nylon v. DaisyII, R2 = 0.90, b = 1.06, P < 0.01; and IS filter v. DaisyII, R2 = 0.95, b = 0.98, P = 0.13. In situ filter bags and DaisyII underestimated the TDMd values compared with IS nylon bags and CB, respectively. In situ, the replacement of nylon with filter bags could simplify the procedure of analysis, with less manipulation of residuals and less labour, and offers the possibility to increase the number of samples analysed simultaneously. The close relationships found among methods suggest that rumen fluid collected from intact cows can produce in vitro estimates of TDMd at 48 h well correlated with those obtained in situ.

Additional keywords: filter bags, fistulated cows, in situ digestibility, in vitro digestibility, nylon bags, repeatability.


References

Adesogan AT (2005) Effect of bag type on the apparent digestibility of feeds in ANKOM DaisyII incubators. Animal Feed Science and Technology 119, 333–344.
Effect of bag type on the apparent digestibility of feeds in ANKOM DaisyII incubators.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Ammar H, López S, Bochi O, Garcıa R, Ranilla MJ (1999) Composition and in vitro digestibility of leaves and stems of grasses and legumes harvested from permanent mountain meadows at different maturity stages. Journal of Animal and Feed Sciences 8, 599–610.

Ankom Technology (2005) ‘Method for determining neutral detergent fiber (NDF).’ (Ankom Technology: Macedon, NY)

AOAC (2003) ‘Official methods of analysis of the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists.’ 17th edn. (AOAC International: Gaithersburg, MD)

Bartlett MS (1937) Properties of sufficiency and statistical tests. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series A: Mathematical and Physical Sciences 160, 268–282.
Properties of sufficiency and statistical tests.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Calabrò S, Williams BA, Piccolo V, Infascelli F, Tamminga S (2004) A comparison between buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and cow (Bos taurus) rumen fluids in terms of the in vitro fermentation characteristics of three fibrous feedstuffs. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 84, 645–652.
A comparison between buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and cow (Bos taurus) rumen fluids in terms of the in vitro fermentation characteristics of three fibrous feedstuffs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Cattani M, Tagliapietra F, Bailoni L, Schiavon S (2009) In vitro rumen feed degradability assessed with DaisyII and batch culture: effect of sample size. Italian Journal of Animal Science 8, 169–171.

Cozzi G, Bittante G, Polan CE (1993) Comparison of degradation of fibrous materials as modifiers of in situ ruminal corn gluten meal. Journal of Dairy Science 76, 1106–1113.
Comparison of degradation of fibrous materials as modifiers of in situ ruminal corn gluten meal.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Damiran D, Del Curto T, Bohnert DW, Findholt SL (2008) Comparison of techniques and grinding size to estimate digestibility of forage based ruminant diets. Animal Feed Science and Technology 141, 15–35.
Comparison of techniques and grinding size to estimate digestibility of forage based ruminant diets.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Goering HK, Van Soest PJ (1970) ‘Forage fiber analysis (apparatus, reagents, procedures, and some applications). Handbook No. 379.’ (USDA Agricultural Research Service: Washington, DC)

Huntington JA, Givens DI (1997) Studies on in situ degradation of feeds in the rumen: 1. Effect of species, bag mobility and incubation sequence on dry matter disappearance. Animal Feed Science and Technology 64, 227–241.
Studies on in situ degradation of feeds in the rumen: 1. Effect of species, bag mobility and incubation sequence on dry matter disappearance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXivV2ns7o%3D&md5=02e2b74c15e5f2cb6458c8354e83720bCAS |

International Organisation for Standardisation (1994a) ‘Accuracy (trueness and precision) of measurement methods and results – Part 1: general principles and definitions. ISO 5725-1.’ (International Organisation for Standardisation: Geneva)

International Organisation for Standardisation (1994b) ‘Accuracy (trueness and precision) of measurement methods and results – Part 2: basic method for the determination of repeatability and reproducibility of a standard measurement method. ISO 5725-2.’ (International Organisation for Standardisation: Geneva)

Kitessa S, Flinn PC, Irish GG (1999) Comparison of methods used to predict in vivo digestibility of feeds in ruminants. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 50, 825–841.
Comparison of methods used to predict in vivo digestibility of feeds in ruminants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXkvV2ktrc%3D&md5=e3c50099988c68ad26c19ea56169931eCAS |

Licitra G, Hernandez TM, Van Soest PJ (1996) Standardisation of procedures for nitrogen fractionation of ruminant feeds. Animal Feed Science and Technology 57, 347–358.
Standardisation of procedures for nitrogen fractionation of ruminant feeds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lindberg JE, Knutsson PG (1981) Effect of bag pore size on the loss of particulate matter and on the degradation of cell wall fibre. Agriculture and Environment 6, 171–182.
Effect of bag pore size on the loss of particulate matter and on the degradation of cell wall fibre.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lodge-Ivey SL, Browne-Silva J, Horvath MB (2009) Technical note: bacterial diversity and fermentation end products in rumen fluid samples collected via oral lavage or rumen cannula. Journal of Animal Science 87, 2333–2337.
Technical note: bacterial diversity and fermentation end products in rumen fluid samples collected via oral lavage or rumen cannula.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXnvVCjtrs%3D&md5=02ab59c6973b96b87df8ecea515266f7CAS |

Lopez S (2005) In vitro and in situ techniques for estimating digestibility. In ‘Quantitative aspects of ruminant digestion and metabolism’. (Ed. J Dijkstra, JM Forbes, J France) pp. 87–121. (CABI Publishing: Wallingford, UK)

Makkar HPS (2005) Recent advances in the in vitro gas method for evaluation of nutritional quality of feed resources. In ‘Assessing quality and safety of animal feeds’. (Ed. FAO Animal Production and Health) pp. 55–88. (Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations: Rome)

Menke KH, Steingass H (1988) Estimation of the energetic feed value obtained from chemical analysis and gas production using rumen fluid. Animal Research and Development 28, 7–55.

Mertens DR (2002) Gravimetric determination of amylase-treated neutral detergent fiber in feeds with refluxing in beakers or crucibles: collaborative study. Journal of AOAC International 85, 1217–1240.

Meyer JHF, Mackie RI (1986) Microbiological evaluation of the intraruminal in sacculus digestion technique. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 51, 622–629.

Michalet-Doreau B, Ould-Bah MY (1992) In vitro and in sacco methods for the estimation of dietary nitrogen degradability in the rumen: a review. Animal Feed Science and Technology 40, 57–86.
In vitro and in sacco methods for the estimation of dietary nitrogen degradability in the rumen: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK3sXltFKjsL8%3D&md5=006fbdffb1d892dd1f5d6c01b162fdd1CAS |

Mould FL (2003) Predicting feed quality-chemical analysis and in vitro evaluation. Field Crops Research 84, 31–44.
Predicting feed quality-chemical analysis and in vitro evaluation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Mould FL, Kliem KE, Morgan R, Mauricio RM (2005) In vitro microbial inoculum: a review of its function and properties. Animal Feed Science and Technology 123–124, 31–50.
In vitro microbial inoculum: a review of its function and properties.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Nocek JE (1988) In situ and other methods to estimate ruminal protein and energy digestibility: a review. Journal of Dairy Science 71, 2051–2069.
In situ and other methods to estimate ruminal protein and energy digestibility: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL1cXlsVGnt7k%3D&md5=8db5a67f20026cbbde59e4d28a58ea0cCAS |

NRC (2001) ‘Nutrient requirements of dairy cattle.’ 7th revised edn. (National Academy Press: Washington, DC)

Ørskov ER, McDonald I (1979) The estimate of protein degradability in the rumen from incubation measurements weighted according to rate of passage. The Journal of Agricultural Science 92, 499–503.
The estimate of protein degradability in the rumen from incubation measurements weighted according to rate of passage.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Ramanzin M, Bailoni L, Bittante G (1994) Solubility, water holding capacity, and specific gravity of different concentrates. Journal of Dairy Science 77, 774–781.
Solubility, water holding capacity, and specific gravity of different concentrates.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Raun NS, Burroughs W (1962) Suction strainer technique in obtaining rumen fluid samples from intact lambs. Journal of Animal Science 21, 454–457.

Robertson JB, Van Soest PJ (1981) The detergent system of analysis and its application to human foods. In ‘The analysis of dietary fiber in food’. (Eds WPT James, O Theander) pp. 123–158. (Marcel Dekker Inc.: New York)

Robinson PH, Campbell Mathews M, Fadel JG (1999) Influence of storage time and temperature on in vitro digestion of neutral detergent fibre at 48 h, and comparison to 48 h in sacco neutral detergent fibre digestion. Animal Feed Science and Technology 80, 257–266.
Influence of storage time and temperature on in vitro digestion of neutral detergent fibre at 48 h, and comparison to 48 h in sacco neutral detergent fibre digestion.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Robinson PH, Givens DI, Getachew G (2004) Evaluation of NRC, UC Davis and ADAS approaches to estimate the metabolizable energy values of feeds at maintenance energy intake from equations utilizing chemical assays and in vitro determinations. Animal Feed Science and Technology 114, 75–90.
Evaluation of NRC, UC Davis and ADAS approaches to estimate the metabolizable energy values of feeds at maintenance energy intake from equations utilizing chemical assays and in vitro determinations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

SAS (2005) ‘SAS OnlineDoc 9.1.2.’ (SAS Institute Incorporation: Cary, NC)

Setälä J (1983) The nylon bag technique in the determination of ruminal feed protein degradation. Journal of Scientific Agricultural Society of Finland 55, 1–78.

Spanghero M, Boccalon S, Gracco L, Gruber L (2003) NDF degradability of hays measured in situ and in vitro. Animal Feed Science and Technology 104, 201–208.
NDF degradability of hays measured in situ and in vitro.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Spanghero M, Gruber L, Zanfi C (2007) Precision and accuracy of the NDF rumen degradability of hays measured by the Daisy fermenter. Italian Journal of Animal Science 6, 363–365.

Spanghero M, Berzaghi P, Fortina R, Masoero F, Rapetti L, Zanfi C, Tassone S, Gallo A, Colombini S, Ferlito JC (2010) Technical note: precision and accuracy of in vitro digestion of neutral detergent fiber and predicted net energy of lactation content of fibrous feeds. Journal of Dairy Science 93, 4855–4859.
Technical note: precision and accuracy of in vitro digestion of neutral detergent fiber and predicted net energy of lactation content of fibrous feeds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXhsFKmsLfF&md5=6553451aaec246db934fe921f9394aceCAS |

Tagliapietra F, Cattani M, Bailoni L, Schiavon S (2010a) In vitro rumen fermentation: effect of headspace pressure on the gas production kinetics of corn meal and meadow hay. Animal Feed Science and Technology 158, 197–201.
In vitro rumen fermentation: effect of headspace pressure on the gas production kinetics of corn meal and meadow hay.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXmvVSrs7w%3D&md5=ebc73c7558358e8e7c852e79ecfe86d0CAS |

Tagliapietra F, Guadagnin M, Cattani M, Schiavon S, Bailoni L (2010b) Associative effects of different feed combinations assessed using a gas production system. In ‘Book of abstracts of the 61th annual meeting of the European Association of Animal Production’. (Ed. EAAP) p. 166. (Wageningen Academic Publishers: Wageningen, The Netherlands)

Tagliapietra F, Cattani M, Hansen HH, Hindrichsen IK, Bailoni L, Schiavon S (2011) Metabolizable energy content of feeds based on 24 or 48 h in situ NDF digestibility and on in vitro 24 h gas production methods. Animal Feed Science and Technology 170, 182–191.
Metabolizable energy content of feeds based on 24 or 48 h in situ NDF digestibility and on in vitro 24 h gas production methods.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Tilley JMA, Terry RA (1963) A two-stage technique for the in vitro digestion of forage crops. Journal of the British Grassland Society 18, 104–111.
A two-stage technique for the in vitro digestion of forage crops.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaF3sXks1Cmurk%3D&md5=64e7c5b71dbbaf8e6569c5dbfa32104cCAS |

Trujillo AI, Marichal Mde J, Carriquiry M (2010) Comparison of dry matter and neutral detergent fibre degradation of fibrous feedstuffs as determined with in situ and in vitro gravimetric procedures. Animal Feed Science and Technology 161, 49–57.
Comparison of dry matter and neutral detergent fibre degradation of fibrous feedstuffs as determined with in situ and in vitro gravimetric procedures.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Van Soest PJ (1967) Development of a comprehensive system of feed analyses and its application to forages. Journal of Animal Science 26, 119–128.

Van Soest PJ, Wine RH, Moore LA (1966) Estimation of the true digestibility of forages by the in vitro digestion of cell walls. In ‘Proceedings of the 10th international grassland congress’. pp. 438–441 (Helsinki Finnish Grassland Association: Helsinki)

Vanzant ES, Cochran RC, Titgemeyer EC (1998) Standardisation of in situ techniques for ruminant feedstuff evaluation. Journal of Animal Science 76, 2717–2729.

Weiss WP (1993) Predicting energy values of feeds. Journal of Dairy Science 76, 1802–1811.
Predicting energy values of feeds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

White CL, Ashes JR (1999) A review of methods for assessing the protein value of grain fed to ruminant. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 50, 855–869.
A review of methods for assessing the protein value of grain fed to ruminant.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Wilman D, Adesogan A (2000) A comparison of filter bag methods with conventional tube methods of determination the in vitro digestibility of forages. Animal Feed Science and Technology 84, 33–47.
A comparison of filter bag methods with conventional tube methods of determination the in vitro digestibility of forages.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |