Measurements of Purine Derivatives and Creatinine in Spot Urine Samples of Chinese Yellow Cattle

Abstract

An experiment was conducted using 18 Chinese Yellow Cattle located in 5 farms to study how supplementation of fermentable energy to low quality straw-based rations would improve rumen microbial protein synthesis Within each farm, the animals were fed on five diets Diets 1-2 were typical rice straw + by-products used by farmers and were low in fermentable energy content; Diets 3- 5 were more balanced, containing a higher content of fermentable energy Purine derivatives (PD) and creatinine in spot urine samples were measured The results showed that the PD to creatinine ratio was significantly higher with Diets 3-5 than with Diets 1-2 Organic matter digestibility and thus organic matter intake was also higher with Diets 3-5 compared to Diets 1-2 The results indicted that the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis could be improved by balancing the diet (author)