Net absorption from portal-drained viscera of nitrogenous compounds by beef heifers fed on diets differing in protein solubility or degradability in the rumen

Abstract

1. The objective of the present study was to evaluate effects of in vitro rumen solubility or degradability of dietary protein on net absorption of nitrogenous compounds from portal-drained viscera of beef heifers.2. Four protein sources, casein, soya-bean meal, maize-gluten meal and blood meal provided about two-thirds of total dietary nitrogen in semi-purified diets given to four beef heifers in a 4 x 4 Latin square design.3. Although in vitro degradability of dietary N ranged from 842 (casein) to 310 (blood meal) g/kg total dietary N, net absorption of ammonia-N or α-amino-N was not significantly different (P > 0.10) among diets. However, net absorption of NH3-N tended to decrease and net absorption of α-amino-N tended to increase as intake of in vitro undegradable N increased. Net transfer of urea-N from plasma to portal-drained viscera was greater (P < 0.10) when heifers were fed on soya-bean meal than when fed on maize-gluten meal or blood meal.4. The findings show with all diets that the non-protein-nitrogenous compounds, NH3 and urea, played a substantial role in absorption and transfer of N. Overall, net absorption of NH3-N was 61% of net absorption of α-amino-N, and transfer of urea-N from plasma to portal-drained viscera was 80% ofnet absorption of α-amino-N.