Abstract
Abstract The effect of treating supplementary casein with formaldehyde on nitrogen (N) digestion, N retention, and wool growth was studied in two experiments with young Romney sheep. In vitro tests showed that untreated casein was rapidly digested by rumen micro-organisms. Formaldehyde-treated casein was protected from ruminai degradation and was digestible in acid-pepsin conditions. Supplements of 25, 50, or 75 g per day of each type of casein were added to a basal ration predominantly of roughage fed at an energy intake close to maintenance. Formaldehyde treatment of casein reduced the concentration of ammonia in rumen fluid, reduced urinary N excretion, and increased N retention. Urea N in peripheral blood plasma was decreased by formaldehyde treatment of casein, but increased with increasing level of casein intake. Live-weight gains were small, but were increased by formaldehyde treatment of casein and by level of casein intake. Wool growth rate and fibre diameter were increased by formaldehyde treatm...
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