Body composition in lambs and young sheep and its predictionin vivofrom tritiated water space and body weight

Abstract

SUMMARYTritiated water (TOH) space was determined in sixty-one sheep of known age (3 days to 18 months). Representative samples of the minced carcass were subsequently analysed to determine body composition (water, fat, protein, ash and energy). The regressions of the weight of the various body components on TOH space and body weight reported here gave equations suitable for prediction. These were similar to equations derived from published results for adults. Combining data on young sheep and adults gave broadly based equations that could be used to predict the body composition of healthy sheep of all ages from 3 days to adults.