Use of Nitrogen-15 Determinations of Purine Nitrogen Fraction of Digesta to Define Nitrogen Metabolism Traits in the Rumen

Abstract

A method for direct purine N isolation and determination was modified from the method of Zinn and Owens for rapid determination of purines. By this method, N derived from purines in digesta was measured and collected for 15N determinations. Measurements of purine N in 33 samples of ruminal contents and duodenal digesta of sheep and goats were compared with purine determinations in the same samples. The results showed that essentially all the N in the purines that could be isolated by the Zinn and Owens procedure also could be detected by N isolation and determination. Determinations of 15N in the NH3 N, NAN, and purine N fractions in a continuous culture in vitro showed significant differences in the 15N enrichment curves between diets based on either roasted or raw soybean meal. © 1991, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.