Technical note: mineral deposits on Dacron bags during ruminal incubation.

Extensive DM contamination was found on Dacron bags that were incubated for prolonged periods of time in the rumen of steers fed alfalfa hay. The ash content of the contaminant was high, and most of it was acid-soluble X-ray analysis indicated the presence of hydroxylapatite and synthetic calcium magnesium phosphate or whitlockite. The contaminant appeared as a smooth coating on the Dacron fiber, suggesting that contamination was a gradual process rather than the result of entrapment of dislodged crystals from plant material. Contamination seemed to occur exponentially within the range of observations (0 to 42 d). Contamination also occurred in steers fed orchardgrass, although to a lesser extent than in steers fed alfalfa hay. The DM contamination was less than .04 g per bag (average bag weight was 1.2 g) during the first 10 d of incubation. However, correction for contamination might be required for studies involving longterm incubation or mineral digestion.