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

An integrative assay to quantify the nutritional quality of the selected diet of two Mediterranean free-living deer by faecal-FT-NIRS

S. Tellado A and C. Azorit A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Animal Biology, Vegetal Biology and Ecology, University of Jaén, Jaén 23071, Spain.

B Corresponding author. Email: cazorit@ujaen.es

Animal Production Science 55(1) 11-16 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN13064
Submitted: 19 February 2013  Accepted: 2 December 2013   Published: 14 January 2014

Abstract

Integrating the interaction between cell wall components through a lignin and neutral detergent fibre ratio as a cell wall digestibility (CWD) index may provide a suitable method for diet quality and fibre digestibility estimation. Predictive faecal-Fourier-transform (FT)-near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) equations useful for CWD determination were developed as an integrative assessment of the digestibility and quality of the diet selected by red (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) and fallow (Dama dama) deer in southern Spain. A chemometric regression was used from spectra of faeces and wet chemical rumen contents analysis as reference data coupled with partial least-squares. The accuracy and feasibility of the equations obtained for red and fallow deer samples separately were evaluated, as well as after pooling all samples for both species. The predictive equations had a high linearity with correlation coefficients (r) ranging between 0.89 and 0.99, as well as a reliable accuracy considering the errors of prediction (RMSEP 0.57–0.87), calibration (RMS 0.04–0.45) and cross-calibration (RMSECV 0.80–1.12) in relation to the range of values for which the NIRS calibration was set for each parameter, giving very good RER (residual error value) indices (7.44–13.23). The ability of the calibration equations to predict new samples from the same deer populations was also assessed through an external validation. Equations obtained for the red deer data were successfully applied not only to red deer but also to fallow deer, and vice versa. Feasible CWD simultaneous determination in red and fallow deer was also obtained by using the broad-based equations. There was variation of the CWD index throughout the year and differences between the two deer species. A lower CWD of the forage was recorded in red deer, while a lower CWD ratio was detected at the end of winter coinciding with the highest browsing levels in both species. This technique has potential to enable closer examination of the non-grass variables and distinguish between browse and herbage feeding behaviour. The faecal-NIRS method of CWD ratio determination is a useful, non-invasive tool for monitoring variations in the diet quality of Mediterranean deer in their natural environment.

Additional keywords: CWD, digestibility, diet quality, fallow deer, faecal-NIRS, Mediterranean environments, red deer.


References

Alves A, Schwanninger M, Pereira H, Rodrigues J (2006) Analitical pirolisis as a direct method to determine the lignin content in wood. Part 1: Comparison of pyrolysis lignin with Klason lignin. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis 76, 209–213.
Analitical pirolisis as a direct method to determine the lignin content in wood. Part 1: Comparison of pyrolysis lignin with Klason lignin.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XhvVSjtbY%3D&md5=273a0e4d9dbd4a6c693c4869718376fdCAS |

Aufrère J, Graviou D, Demarquilly C, Pérez JM, Andrieu J (1996) Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy to predict energy value of compound feeds for swine and ruminants. Animal Feed Science and Technology 62, 77–90.
Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy to predict energy value of compound feeds for swine and ruminants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Azorit C, Tellado S, Oya A, Moro J (2012) Seasonal and specific diet variations in sympatric red and fallow deer of southern Spain: a preliminary approach to feeding behaviour. Animal Production Science 52, 720–727.
Seasonal and specific diet variations in sympatric red and fallow deer of southern Spain: a preliminary approach to feeding behaviour.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XpvFOht7k%3D&md5=7d61faedbb9aca849132c2e761f41d97CAS |

Brinkmann K, Blaschke L, Polle A (2002) Comparison of different methods for lignin determination as a basis for calibration of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy and implication of lignoproteins. Journal of Chemical Ecology 28, 2483–2501.
Comparison of different methods for lignin determination as a basis for calibration of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy and implication of lignoproteins.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XpsValsLY%3D&md5=56d34896e37f850dfef694666a65fd18CAS | 12564795PubMed |

Bugalho MN, Milne JA (2003) The composition of the diet of red deer (Cervus elaphus) in a Mediterranean environment: a case of nutritional constraint? Forest Ecology and Management 181, 23–29.
The composition of the diet of red deer (Cervus elaphus) in a Mediterranean environment: a case of nutritional constraint?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Carrier M, Loppinet-Serani A, Denux D, Lasnier JM, Ham-Pichavant F, Cansell F, Aymonier C (2011) Thermogravimetric analysis as a new method to determine the lignocellulosic composition of biomass. Biomass and Bioenergy 35, 298–307.
Thermogravimetric analysis as a new method to determine the lignocellulosic composition of biomass.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXit1ektg%3D%3D&md5=eab568b37687bee07efdfc3244164743CAS |

Casler MD, Shenk JS (1985) Effects of sample grinding size on forage quality estimates of smooth brome grass clones. Crop Science 25, 167–170.
Effects of sample grinding size on forage quality estimates of smooth brome grass clones.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Codron D, Lee-Thorp JA, Sponheimer M, Codron J (2007) Nutritional content of savanna plant foods: implications for browser/grazer models of ungulate diversification. European Journal of Wildlife Research 53, 100–111.
Nutritional content of savanna plant foods: implications for browser/grazer models of ungulate diversification.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Coleman SW, Murray I (1993) The use of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy to define nutrient digestion of hay by cattle. Animal Feed Science and Technology 44, 237–249.
The use of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy to define nutrient digestion of hay by cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2cXis1yrtLc%3D&md5=b42f87c30b03dd4d0fdd0c47787d6945CAS |

Djordjevic N, Popović Z, Grubić G (2006) A study of the chemical composition of the rumen contents in roe deer as a quality indicator of their feeding. The Journal of Agricultural Science 51, 133–140.
A study of the chemical composition of the rumen contents in roe deer as a quality indicator of their feeding.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Dryden GMcL (2003) Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy; applications in deer nutrition. PhD thesis. School of Animal Studies, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Qld, Australia.

Feam T (2002) Assessing calibration: SEP, RPD, RER and R2. NIR News 13, 12–14.
Assessing calibration: SEP, RPD, RER and R2.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hatfield R, Fukushima RS (2005) Can lignin be accurately measured? Crop Science 45, 832–839.
Can lignin be accurately measured?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXks1Wrurk%3D&md5=40970ecbe8bdaa38a4bc2c7e4a65a8deCAS |

Jung HG, Deetz DA (1993) Cell wall lignifications and degradability. In ‘Forage cell wall structure and digestibility’. (Eds HG Jung, DR Buxton, RD Hatfield, J Ralph) p. 315. (American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America: Madison WI)

Landau S, Glasser T, Dvash L, Perevolotsky A (2004) Faecal NIRS to monitor the diet of Mediterranean goats. South African Journal of Animal Science 34, 76–80.

Leslie DM, Bowyer RT, Jenks JA (2008) Facts from feces: Nitrogen still measures up as a nutritional index for mammalian herbivores. The Journal of Wildlife Management 72, 1420–1433.
Facts from feces: Nitrogen still measures up as a nutritional index for mammalian herbivores.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lyons RK, Stuth JW (1992) Fecal NIRS equations for predicting diet quality of free-ranging cattle. Journal of Range Management 45, 238–244.
Fecal NIRS equations for predicting diet quality of free-ranging cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Meissner HH, Zacharias JPK, O’Reagain PJ (1999) Forage quality (feed value). In ‘Veld management in South Africa’. (Ed. NM Tainton) pp. 139–168. (University of Natal Press: Pietermaritzburg, South Africa)

Millmier A, Lorimor J, Hurburgh C, Fulhage C, Hattey JZ, Hang H (2000) Near-infrared sensing of manure nutrients. Trans ASAF 43, 903–908.
Near-infrared sensing of manure nutrients.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXntFOksLw%3D&md5=88cc259ef71c356e6cfe6d865b25dfcdCAS |

Naes T, Isakson T, Fearn T, Davies T (2002) Validation. In ‘A user-friendly guide to multivariate calibration and classification’. (Eds T Naes, T Isakson, T Fearen, T Davies) pp. 155–177. (NIR Publications: Chichester, UK)

Perez-Barbería FJ, Elston DA, Gorden IJ, Illius AW (2004) The evolution of phylogenetic differences in the efficiency of digestion in ruminants. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B 271, 1081–1090.
The evolution of phylogenetic differences in the efficiency of digestion in ruminants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Robbins CT, Spalinger DE, van Hoven W (1995) Adaptation of ruminants to browse and grass diets: are anatomical-based browser-grazer interpretations valid? Oecologia 103, 208–213.
Adaptation of ruminants to browse and grass diets: are anatomical-based browser-grazer interpretations valid?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Shenk JS, Westerhaus MO (1993a) Near infrared reflectance analysis with single and multiproduct calibrations. Crop Science 33, 582–584.
Near infrared reflectance analysis with single and multiproduct calibrations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2cXis1ynsbs%3D&md5=b3e8f15287126bc48bcc5dbfc090968fCAS |

Shenk JS, Westerhaus MO (1993b) ‘Monograph: analysis of agriculture and food products by near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy.’ (Infrasoft International: Port Matilda, PA)

Tolleson DR, Randel RD, Stuth JW, Neuendorff DA (2005) Determination of sex and species in red and fallow deer by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy of the faeces. Small Ruminant Research 57, 141–150.
Determination of sex and species in red and fallow deer by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy of the faeces.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Van Soest PJ (1963) The use of detergents in the analysis of fibrous feeds. II. A rapid method for the determination of fibre and lignin. Journal of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists 46, 829–835.

Van Soest PJ (1994) ‘Nutritional ecology of the ruminant.’ 2nd edn. (Comstock: Ithaca, NY)

Van Soest PJ, Wine RH (1967) Use of detergents in the analysis of fibrous feeds. IV. Determination of plant cell wall constituents. Journal of the Association of Agricultural Chemists 50, 50–55.

Van Soest PJ, Robertson JB, Lewis BA (1991) Methods for dietary fibre, neutral detergent fibre, and nonstarch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition. Journal of Dairy Science 74, 3583–3597.
Methods for dietary fibre, neutral detergent fibre, and nonstarch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK38%2FnvVCltA%3D%3D&md5=1b837d0361716b7c813fff797a7701e0CAS | 1660498PubMed |

Windham WR (1987) Influence of grind and gravimetric technique on dry matter determination of forages intended for analysis by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy. Crop Science 27, 773–776.
Influence of grind and gravimetric technique on dry matter determination of forages intended for analysis by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Zarovali MP, Yiakoulaki MD, Panpanastasis VP (2007) Effects of shrub encroachment on herbage production and nutritive value in semi-arid Mediterranean grasslands. Grass and Forage Science 62, 355–363.
Effects of shrub encroachment on herbage production and nutritive value in semi-arid Mediterranean grasslands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXhtVyrs7%2FN&md5=802679cae18337cab3e2da26ab1a1f3aCAS |