Relationship of Nitrogen Source to Certain Blood Components and Nitrogen Balance in the Equine

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Abstract
The nutritional value of protein depends upon its source and the efficiencies of digestion, absorption and utilization which vary extensively among and within the animal species. Alexander (1955) observed greater protein digestion in horses than in cattle. This may be related to the action of gastric and intestinal proteases occurring prior to microbial fermentation in horses resulting in more of the products of proteolysis being available to the host than is the case with cattle. Word and Breuer (1966) found that when zein was substituted for soybean meal protein digestibility was reduced, indicating that protein of cereal grain may be less efficiently digested than that of soybean meal. Slade, Robinson and Casey (1970) reported that the requirements for digestible protein were the same for mature horses fed either corn gluten meal or fishmeal based diets. They also reported that urea supplementation increased plasma urea concentrations and improved nitrogen retention. It has also been reported that plasma urea nitrogen levels were elevated by increasing the level of protein in the diets, but plasma protein levels did not vary significantly (Fonnesbeck and Symons, 1969). Copyright © 1971. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1971 by American Society of Animal Science.

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