Hello everybody, I would like to know how to measure the pH in faeces of ewes. Our ewes are submitted to 2 different diet regimes and we would like to assess, among other parameters, the pH of faeces. Could someone suggest a protocol?
Thank you!
I recommend you measure pH of the urine. I believe that might be a better measure of how the diet is affecting the metabolism and health of the ewes.
I will agree with Jack in measuring pH of the urine rather of the faeces. Alternatively, intestinal contents could be collected surgically and squeezed to extract fluids to measure the pH
Nutritional changes upon Germination & Sprouting
Chavan and Kadam (1989) concluded that
The desirable nutritional changes that occur during sprouting and mainly due to the -breakdown of complex compounds into a more simple form, transformation into essential constituents, and breakdown of nutritionally undesirable constituents. The metabolic activity of resting seeds increases as soon as they are hydrated during soaking. Complex biochemical changes occur during hydration and subsequent sprouting.The reserve chemical constituents, such as protein, starch and lipids, are broken down by enzymes into simple compounds that are used to make new compounds.
Sprouting grains causes increased activities of hydrolytic enzymes, improvements in the contents of total proteins, fat, certain essential amino acids, total sugars, B-group vitamins, and a decrease in dry matter, starch and anti-nutrients.
The increased contents of protein, fat, fibre and total ash are only apparent and attributable to the disappearance of starch. However, improvements in amino acid composition, B-group vitamins, sugars, protein and starch digestibilities, and decrease in phytates and protease inhibitors are the metabolic effects of sprouting process.
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