Urinary Allantoin as an Estimate of Microbial Protein Synthesis

Authors

Mariela Lamothe, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Don C. Adams, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Jacqueline A. Musgrave, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

January 2002

Comments

Published in 2002 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. Copyright © 2001 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

Allantoin excretion in the urine was evaluated as a marker for bacterial protein production in lactating and dry cows grazing Sandhills range and meadows. Allantoin excretion declined with season as diet digestibility declined. Bacterial protein predicted from allantoin was significantly related (R2 = .62) to bacterial protein predicted by NRC. Urinary allantoin has potential as a tool to predict bacterial protein production in grazing cattle.