Nitrogen Metabolism of Cattle and Sheep in Southern Africa

Abstract

Study of cattle and sheep suffering stress from natural protein shortage has thrown light on the mechanisms by which they are able to make good use of nitrogen, thus conserving this body nutrient. Doubt has been cast on the assumption that protein requirements for maintenance, for animals of all species, are governed solely by metabolic body size, but the nitrogen-sparing processes for cattle and sheep are not yet well understood.