Intravenous infusion of cysteine and wool growth of romney sheep

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Abstract
New Zealand Romney wethers were infused intravenously with 2 and 4 g per day of cysteine hydrochloride. Their wool growth rates were compared with those of saline-infused controls. Cysteine infusion apparently counteracted the winter depression in wool growth. No difference in response between 2 and 4 g per day was detected. In a second experiment, New Zealand Romney wethers were fed two dietary protein levels and were infused with 2 g per day of cysteine hydrochloride. Their wool growth rates were compared with saline-infused controls fed comparable levels of dietary protein. Significant increases (p < .01) in wool growth rate from the cysteine-infused sheep and a significant protein level × cysteine infusion interaction were observed. The sheep fed the high-protein diet grew more wool than those fed the low-protein diet.