Serum alkaline phosphatase activity in relation to liveweight of lambs.

Groups of lambs were fed four levels of a diet based upon oaten grain. Two groups gained weight rapidly, one less rapidly and the other lost liveweight over a 32-day period. Serum alkaline phosphatase activity was found to be closely correlated to liveweight, in a positive linear manner, in those lambs gaining weight rapidly. This relationship was similar in lambs of R or r blood group. Supplementation of the diet with limestone and or sodium chloride did not influence the relationship. This relationship is considered to reflect the influence of the dietary treatments upon the rate of skeletal metabolism.