Protein digestion in the stomachs and intestines of the cow.

Abstract

Two cows, with fistulae in the rumen, proximal duodenum and distal ileum, were given diets varying in protein quality and quantity. Daily N intake/cow ranged from 149 to 330 g with lysine contents of 2.7 to 5.7 g/16 g N. The ammonia N constituted 2 to 9% of the N in duodenal contents and less than 2% of the N in the feedstuff, ileal contents and faeces. The proportion of alpha -amino N in non-ammonia N was greater in duodenal contents than in ileal contents and in faeces. The disappearance of non-ammonia N and alpha -amino N from the small intestine with different diets averaged 65% and 70% of the amounts in duodenal contents. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)