Effects of different calcium to phosphorus ratios on phosphorus absorption by sheep in Brazil

Abstract

Phosphorus deficiencies in tropical pastures, as well as the effects of this mineral deficiencies in ruminant performance are well-known. There is still some controversy on the metabolism, as the influence of Ca:P ratio on P absorption, even though, TCORN (1991) has indicate to be unnecessary and even misleading to establish limits for Ca:P ratio, once that individual mineral requirements have been met. The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the influence of different Ca:P ratio, in diet, on P absorption in sheep commonly raised in Brazil.