Further studies on the effects of the presence or absence of protozoa in the rumen on live-weight gain and wool growth of sheep.
Lambs were given a diet of oaten chaff-sucrose-fishmeal (48:48:4, w/w) and either 60 (diet A) or 120 (diet B) g urea/kg sucrose in the diet. All animals were defaunated and half were refaunated. Each group of lambs (faunated and defaunated) was then divided into two groups and given diet A or diet B. Feed intake, wool growth and live-weight change were monitored over a 182 d period. The level of urea supplementation had no effect on wool growth or live-weight gain. Defaunated lambs gained live weight at a higher rate (9%, P less than 0.06) and grew 37% more wool (P less than 0.01) than the lambs with large populations of protozoa in their rumens.
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D004032:Diet; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012417:Rumen / Q000469:parasitology*; D012756:Sheep; D014935:Wool / Q000254:growth & development*