UREASE ACTIVITY IN THE CONTENTS AND TISSUES OF THE SHEEP, PIG AND CHICKEN GASTROINTESTINAL APPARATUS

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 28  (6) , 545-550
Abstract
Urease activity, expressed as mg N-NH3/g dry wt per 30 min at 25.degree. C, was determined in various parts of the sheep, chicken and pig digestive apparatus. No urease activity was found in the walls of the digestive apparatus or the contents of the duodenum in chickens, or in the walls of the stomach and intestine and the contents of the duodenum in pigs. Urease activity in the digestive apparatus of pigs and poultry is lower than in sheep. Inadequate urease activity in the digestive apparatus explains why chickens and pigs are significantly less capable than ruminants of utilizing urea N as a substitute for some of the protein in the diet.

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