One Point In situ Incubation Estimation of Undegraded Protein in Forages

Abstract

To estimate undegraded intake protein (UIP) fraction in feeds and fodders, on the basis of their neutral detergent insoluble N content was studied. Samples of six feeds and forages were incubated in situ for a time equivalent to their mean retention time, estimated on the basis of their digestibility plus 10 h (to account for a lag in passage of particles from the rumen). The samples were incubated for 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of the estimated total mean retention time. UIP value of leguminous forages, obtained from the fractional rates of degradation and passage, were highly correlated with those estimated from samples incubated for 75% of total mean retention time, while incubating the non-leguminous forages and groundnut cake for this point over estimate the UIP fraction.