The influence of diet on the nitrogenous components passing to the duodenum and through the lower ileum of sheep

Abstract

Analyses of the alimentary contents flowing to the duodenum of sheep during 24 h show that when the sheep are consuming a low-nitrogen diet more total nitrogen and amino nitrogen pass to the duodenum than are eaten daily in the food whereas when the sheep are eating high nitrogen diets, less total nitrogen and less amino nitrogen pass to the duodenum. The disparity between the total nitrogen and amino nitrogen content of the diets largely disappeared by the time the alimentary contents reached the terminal part of the ileum. From 64 to 68% of the nitrogen entering the duodenum and 54 to 64% of the nitrogen in the ileal contents was in the form of amino nitrogen. Proportionately more of the amino nitrogen was in solution in the ileal contents than in the duodenal contents. Losses of amino acids in the stomach when a high-nitrogen diet was consumed were especially large for glutamic acid, aspartic acid, proline, arginine and leucine. They were least for cystine and threonine. Gains of amino acids in the stomach when low nitrogen diets were consumed were all substantial except for proline, where a loss was found when hay and flaked maize were given. When these changes are considered as proportions of the quantities eaten then trends are similar for all acids. Changes in the molar proportions of the amino acids present in hydrolysates of the duodenal and ileal contents are discussed together with the significance of these changes in relation to the nutrition of the sheep.