Apparent digestibility comparison.pdf

Apparent digestibility comparison in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) assessed using three methods of faeces collection and three digestibility markers G.W. VANDENBERG J. DE LA NOUè E Groupe de recherche en recyclage biologique et aquiculture, De?partement des sciences animales, Universite? Laval, Ste-Foy, Que?bec G1K-7P4, Canada Abstract Experiments were undertaken to investigate the apparent digestibility coe?cient (ADC) of a range of macro- and micronutrients in rainbow trout using three external digest- ibility markers (chromic oxide, acid insoluble ash and titanium dioxide, alone or in combination), and three methods of faeces collection (modi?ed Guelph system, St-Pee system and abdominal massage; hereafter referred to as `column, collect and `strip, respectively). For each method of faeces collection, three replicate tanks of ?sh were acclimated for 5 days to a practical diet containing the external marker followed by 5 days of faeces collection. Both marker type and collection method signi?cantly inˉuenced ADC estimate in a similar manner for dry matter, protein, nitrogen-free extract, ash and energy. The ADC was consis- tently highest for the column and lowest for the strip methods of collection, and titanium dioxide gave higher ADCs vs. the other markers. Lipid ADC did not di?er between the column and collect methods, but collection of faeces by the strip method gave lower ADCs, irrespective of marker type. In general, nutrient ADC was higher with the combined markers than when single markers were employed. The inˉuence of marker type and collection method was less clear for the individual minerals studied. KEY WORDS: digestibility, ?sh faeces, markers, nutrient absorption Received 19 February 2001, accepted 17 April 20011 Correspondence: Joel de la Nouè e, De?partement des sciences animales, Pavillon Paul Comtois, Universite? Laval, Ste Foy, QC G1K 7P4 Canada. E-mail: joel.de-la-Noue@san.ulaval.ca Introduction Information related to speci?c nutrient av