Comparison of mean retention time (MRT) of markers in the reticulorumen (RR) estimated by modelling their faecal excretion curves or by an algebraic method, in sheep

摘要

Compartmental analysis of marker excretion in the faeces is now widely used to obtain estimates of retention time of digesta in various segments of the gastrointestinal tract of ruminants. In this trial we compared MRTRR obtained with the more commonly used models : Grovum et Williams (1973, Br J Nutr, 30, 231-240) (Gw), Ellis et a/ (1979, Fed Proc, 38, 2702-2706) (El) and Dhanoa et a/ (1985, Br J Nutr, 53, 663-671) (Dh), to those obtained with an algebraic method (Thielemans et al, 1978, Ann Biol Biochim Biophys, 18, 237-247) (Ref) considered as the reference one but requiring surgically fistulated animals.