EFFECTS OF PHOSPHORUS DEFICIENCY ON FOOD INTAKE, GROWTH AND ABSORPTION OF CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS BY LAMBS

Abstract

Lambs offered low phosphorus diets had lower food intakes and liveweight gains than those offered adequate phosphorus. When diet intake was restricted but phosphorus was adequate, bone mineralization was greater but the liveweight gain was similar to the lambs offered inadequate phosphorus diets ad libitum. Key words: Phosphorus deficiency, intake, absorption, endogenous losses