Influence of Rate of Ruminal Administration of Urea on Nitrogen Utilization in Lambs

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Abstract
A 4 × 4 latin square design was utilized in which four lambs each received the following rations: (1) a 6% crude protein basal ration of wheat straw, corn, molasses, minerals and vitamins, (2) basal ration plus 70 g crude protein equivalent from urea infused into the rumen in two equal portions, (3) basal ration plus 70 g crude protein equivalent from urea administered by continuous infusion into the rumen, and (4) basal ration plus 70 g crude protein equivalent from isolated soy protein administered into the rumen in two equal portions. Nitrogen reaching the abomasum and nitrogen balance were increased significantly by all three methods of furnishing additional nitrogen. Ruminal ammonia data demonstrated that continuous infusion of urea provided a much more sustained release of ammonia in the rumen than did urea infusion twice daily. The ruminal ammonia levels in lambs receiving continuously infused urea were essentially constant but somewhat higher than in those receiving soy protein twice daily. Although a constant release of ammonia in the rumen was achieved, there was no detectable difference in the efficiency of the utilization of nitrogen as indicated by the lack of difference betwen the twice daily and continuous administration of urea in nitrogen balance or in total nitrogen or tungstic acid precipitable nitrogen passing the abomasum. Copyright © 1973. American Society of Animal Science. Copyright 1973 by American Society of Animal Science.

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