Compartmental Schemes for Estimating Methanogenesis in Ruminants from Isotope Dilution Data

Schemes for estimating methane production in the rumen and in the whole animal from isotope dilution data are promulgated and a unifying mathematical analysis of these schemes is presented. In addition to steady-state conditions (appropriate under constant- or frequent-feeding regimes) and isotope administration by constant infusion, significant attention is given to non-steady state conditions and to isotope administration by single injection. A calculation for estimating volatile fatty acid production from methanogenesis is also presented.