Abstract
1. The rumen urea concentration in gnotobiotic lambs lacking ureolytic bacteria was equal to that of blood.2. Bacterial urease (EC3.5.1.5.) activity in sheep fed by intraruminal and intra-abomasal infusion was inversely related to rumen ammonia concentration.3. A model is proposed for the facilitation and control of urea flux by wall-bound ureolytic bacteria.