Effect of increasing phosphorus intake on the P faecal
endogenous loss in the sheep
N.D. Grace
Applied Biochemistry Division, DSIR, Palmerston North
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
1980, 40: 221-225
Three groups of four New Zealand Romney wethers, aged 20 to 24
months and weighing 38 to 42 kg, were used to investigate the effect of
increasing phosphorus (P) intake (1.52 to 5.6 g/d) on the P faecal
endogenous loss. Increasing the P intake (mean X) (g/d) increased the P
faecal endogenous loss (mean Y) (g/d), and the relationship between the
two parameters was described by the regression equation mean Y = 0.36 +
(0.38 ± 0.03) mean X. The minimal P faecal endogenous loss was
estimated to be 9 mg P/kg body weight. The urinary P excretion was
variable and the mean urinary P output was 5.5 mg P/kg body weight.
From the above data it was calculated that the P requirement for
maintenance of a 40 kg sheep was 1.0 g/day.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Last Updated 12-09-1998
