http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/6663 http://minds.wisconsin.edu:80/retrieve/5651 http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/6663 http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/37518 Validation of the Combs-Goeser in vitro procedure to test if it improves repeatability and precision of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility measurements to allow improved near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) calibration Goldschmidt, Stephanie Abstract: More precise and accurate estimates of NDF digestibility (NDFD) are needed to better predict forage energy utilization by dairy cattle. Currently, NDFD measurement accuracy and repeatability are weak due to two facets, lab-to-lab variability and run-to-run variability, making it a poor tool for feed formulation. The objective of this research was to validate the Combs-Goeser in vitro fiber digestion procedure that was developed and the concurrent Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) calibration that is based upon the wet data from this procedure. I hypothesize that the new in vitro method will significantly reduce variation in measurement of NDFD, and this will allow improved NIRS calibration. This new procedure and concurrent NIRS calibration was validated against the in vitro procedures and calibrated NIRS procedures currently used by major commercial forage testing laboratories. A more precise and repeatable NDFD procedure would have great impact on the dairy industry in Wisconsin and the Midwest by allowing nutritionists and producers to more accurately predict forage digestion and ultimately milk production from forage crops. 25 p. Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:58:59 GMT http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/7959 Efficiency of dietary calcium use for skeletal growth and mineralization in young pigs fed diets with various phosphorus concentrations Singh, Harpreet Nutrient efficiencies are generally greater for animals fed diets with marginal deficiencies. In a preliminary study, however, Ca efficiency was lower in pigs fed diets with a marginal Ca deficiency (J Bone Miner Re 20:S193). The study assessed recovery of skeletal growth in young pigs following a period of Ca-deficiency. The Ca efficiency may have been inadvertently limited by the P concentrations in the diet. This study is designed to assess the effects of 70, 90, 120% of NRC P requirements on Ca efficiency for 75% and 150% of Ca levels. The Ca efficiencies were estimated using BMC values obtained from DXA Scans. Pigs fed 70% P did not gain bone mass over 27 d trials, regardless of Ca level, and pigs fed 120% did not show significant differences in Ca efficiency. Pigs fed 90%, however, exhibited effects that support Ca efficiencies being greater for marginally deficient diets (75% Ca) 16 p. Sun, 29 Oct 2006 22:58:59 GMT http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/6695 Effects of white yolk concentration on maturation, fertilization, and blastocyst development of bovine embryos produced in vitro Quam, Jessica Most in vitro embryo production (IVP) systems use some form of bovine sera in media. The most commonly used sera in maturation of bovine oocytes is fetal calf serum. A potential problem arising from this practice is disease transfer to the embryo as the sera is coming from the same species as the embryo. A potential substitute (white yolk from avian eggs) derived from a different order of animals could ameliorate this problem. This study was done to determine if white yolk plasma is a suitable supplement to use in the maturation of bovine embryos. Eight replications were done: a control (10% fetal calf serum), and three treatments, replacing fetal calf serum with 5%, 10% or 15% white yolk plasma. Data on fertilization, cleavage, and blastocyst development rate and post freezing/thawing survival were collected. There were no significant differences among treatments for fertilization, cleavage, blastocyst development, or post freezing/thawing survival indicating that white yolk is a suitable substitute for fetal calf serum in bovine oocyte maturation systems 7 p. Wed, 29 Oct 2003 22:58:59 GMT