Techniques in Animal Nutrition Research

A wide range of methods and techniques are used in animal nutrition research and these methods should be well tested ones with adequate precision and reproducibility. There are also a number of methods for each measurement reported in literature and it poses some difficulty in selecting a suitable method particularly for those who have newly entered the research field. Compilation of appropriate methods for a wide range of measurements employed in biological research is often helpful to researchers and technicians and the present book is an attempt in that direction. The main purpose of this compilation is to make available a wide range of analytical and biochemical techniques evolved out of actual experience of research workers in this Institute with these methods. As it was considered essential for anyone using these methods to be fully conversant with the basic principles of the methods and of the instruments used, the manual has been devoted for describing the broad principles underlying the methods described. The research techniques were described under seven different heads, i) Techniques in grazing experiments ii) In-vitro feed analysis iii) In-vivo feed analysis, iv) Analysis of chemical constituents in feed and plant material v) Analysis of antinutrients and toxic principles vi) Rumen biochemistry and enzymes assay vii) Blood haemato-biochemical assay. Alternate techniques have also been given for parameters that can be estimated with equal ease and precision by more than one method. Since validity of data obtained in any biological experiment depends to a large extent on normal and average values, some standard tables are given for reference. Useful data on preparation of buffers and solutions are given in the Appendix.