Responses in dry matter intakes and plasma phosphorus concentrations in ewes given phosphorus sources of contrasting rumen solubility

• Published in: Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science Vol. 1998; p. 214
• Main Authors: Parkins, J.J., Hemingway, R.G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 1998
• ISSN: 1752-7562; 1752-7570
• DOI: 10.1017/S1752756200598664

Full rumination and feed dry matter (DM) intake require adequate recirculation of soluble phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (as urea) via saliva. Both decrease following periods of inadequate dietary intake, which may be prolonged for P with adults. Earlier studies, using 23 μm mesh nylon bags in cannulated cows, showed that rumen solubility coefficients of P in granular mono-calcium phosphate (MCP), powdered di-calcium phosphate (DCP) and granular defluorinated phosphate (DFP) were respectively 0.85, 0.14 and 0.03. This communication describes their relative ability to enhance plasma P and voluntary DM intake by ewes after lambing following development of aphosphorosis when given a low P diet (LP) throughout pregnancy (Parkins
et al.
1998).