Diethylstilbestrol and Length of Preliminary Period in the Utilization of Crude Biuret and Urea by Lambs

Abstract

Two digestion and nitrogen retention trials, one consisting of three successive 10-day collection periods, and another of five, were conducted with wether lambs to determine the effect of diethylstilbestrol (DES) and length of preliminary period upon the utilization of crude biuret- and urea-supplemented rations. The utilization of absorbed nitrogen was increased by prolonging the preliminary period or supplementing the rations with DES. The replacement of urea nitrogen with crude biuret depressed the digestibility of organic matter and crude fiber and apparent digestibility of protein, but did not influence the percentage retention of absorbed nitrogen.