The relationship between the volatile fatty acids supply and the nitrogen retention in growing sheep nourished by total intragastric infusions

Twelve four-month old Suffolk×Small-tail-Han male sheep (live weight 21–26 kg), fitted with rumen and abomasum fistulas and nourished by total intragastric infusions,were used to study the relationship between the volatile fatty acids (VFA) supply and the nitrogen (N) retention in sheep. The animals were randomly divided into four groups and four levels of mixed VFA energy (the molar proportion of acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid was 65:25:10), i.e. 333, 378, 423 and 468 kJ kg−1W0.75 d−1, were infused into the rumen, as treatments I, II, III and IV, respectively. The results showed that the N retention was significantly increased (P < 0.05) with the VFA infusion level. Significant regression relationship was found between the VFA supply (x, gd−1) and the N retention (y, mgd−1): y = 2.75x−403, r2 = 0.86, n=12, P < 0.01. It was concluded that to get efficient utilization of dietary N and high N retention in sheep, it is necessary to supply enough dietary energy.