Metabolic effect of three protein levels in the nutrition of alpacas (Lama pacus) in the experimental station of Brigham Young University

• Main Author: Uruña Tito, Rolando Freddy
• Format: Others
• Published: BYU ScholarsArchive 2009
• Subjects: Alpaca; nutrition; Utah; Life Sciences; Plant Sciences
• Online Access: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/5443; https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=6442&context=etd

This study had the principal objective of evaluating the metabolic effect of three protein levels in the nutrition of Alpacas (Lama pacus) in the experimental stations of Brigham Young University, located in the city of Provo, Utah, U.S.A at an altitude of 13696 m.a.s.l., and geographically located at 40°12’ north latitude, and 111°43’ west longitude. The climatic characteristics of the state of Utah, particularly in the city of Provo, during the current season registered the following: 4°C of minimum average temperature, 11.4°C of an average mean temperature, and 19°C of maximum average temperature, 55% of relative humidity, and a mean annual precipitation of 353.1 mm; presenting an arid climate. With the principal objective in mind, the following specific objectives were established: verify the physical condition of the Alpaca through the gain or loss of Live Weight (LV) and the weight of the animal internal organs (heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, spleen, brain, and muscle); quantify the changes of the Blood Components (metabolites): Albumin, Total Plasma Protein (TTP), Creatinine, Fatty Acids, Glucose, and Plasma Urea Nitrogen (PUN); determine Nitrogen retention through laboratory analysis of feces and urine; and determine protein digestibility by calculating the percentage of Nitrogen digestibility. For that effect, two tests were performed, one in corrals and the other in metabolic cages, in order to complement the results.