Influence of Protein Digestion on Plasma Amino Acid Levels in Sheep

Abstract

A study was made of the effect of increased protein digestion in the intestines on the concentration of amino acids in the peripheral blood plasma. Plasma samples were analysed from three sheep offered a basal diet of wheaten hay either alone or supplemented during successive l4-day periods by the infusion per abomasum of 50, 100, and 150 g/day of calcium caseinate. In addition, plasma was analysed from five sheep fed diets of dried ryegrass (Lolium perenne X L. multiflorum) which provided 7-43 g/day of dietary nitrogen