Ruminal ammonia formation in relation to the protein requirement of sheep: I. Duodenal administration and heat processing as factors influencing fate of casein supplements

1. Nitrogen-balance experiments showed that casein supplements fed to hill ewes on a low plane of nutrition in the later stages of pregnancy were used very ineffectively, despite the animals' need for protein. 2. In confirmation of McDonald (1948 a, b , 1952) extensive conversion of casein to ammonia was found to occur in the rumen, with absorption of ammonia into the blood stream. 3. Casein administered to sheep by duodenal fistual was better utilized than when administered by ruminal fistula. 4. The course of dissolution in the rumen of casein in the form of tough lumps was observed by a staining procedure. 5. It was found possible to process casein in a way that led to better utilization as shown by nitrogenbalance experiments. This processed casein gave less ammonia in the rumen. 6. It is concluded that the formation in the rumen of ammonia from proteins may be an important factor determining their usefulness to the animal. Processing may have effects on the value of a protein for ruminants quite different from those on the value for non-ruminants. The tendency to value proteins for ruminants solely in terms of their digestibility is criticized, and it is suggested that casein has disadvantages as a ‘standard protein’ in nutrition experiments with ruminants.