EFFECTS OF EXTRUSION OF WHOLE HORSE BEANS ON PROTEIN DIGESTION AND AMINO-ACID-ABSORPTION IN DAIRY-COWS

Four lactating cows fitted with ruminal, duodenal, and ileal cannulas were used to determine the effects of extrusion of whole horse beans o n ruminal CP degradation and absorption of AA from the small intestine . Diets contained 15% CP, of which 46% was provided by the raw or extr uded whole horse beans. Spot samples of duodenal and ileal digesta wer e collected during a 72-h period. The markers Cr-EDTA, YbCl3, and puri nes were used for liquid, particulate, and bacteria, respectively. Ext ruded whole horse beans increased AA flow to the duodenum and disappea rance in the small intestine. Diets containing extruded whole horse be ans increased availability of total essential AA in the small intestin e compared with diets containing raw whole horse beans.