Urinary Allantoin Excretion as a Marker of Microbial Crude Protein Supply for Cattle

Authors

Ryan Mass, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
D. J. Jordon, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Tony Scott, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Todd Milton, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
David Harmon, University of Kentucky Animal Science, Lexington

Date of this Version

January 2001

Comments

Published in Nebraska Beef Cattle Report 2001, published by Agricultural Research Division, University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension, and Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Abstract

Two metabolism trials evaluated urinary allantoin excretion as a noninvasive marker of microbial crude protein flow from the rumen. In the first trial, both urinary allantoin excretion and duodenal purine flow increased as alfalfa intake increased. A positive linear relationship (r² = .74) existed between the markers. In the second trial, an increase in the metabolizable energy supplied to the animal did not increase urinary allantoin excretion. We concluded that urinary allantoin excretion was an effective, noninvasive marker of microbial crude protein supply.