Nitrogen metabolism of growing lambs fed coastal bermudagrass as influenced by formaldehyde treatment and glucose.

Six abomasally-cannulated wethers (average initial weight 18 kg) were used in a split 3 X 3 Latin square design experiment with a crossover to determine effects of glucose (G) administered orally (O) or infused (I) into the abomasum on nitrogen metabolism and forage fiber digestion. Basal diets were Coastal bermudagrass (CBG) or CBG treated with 1% formaldehyde (F-CBG). Individual treatments were: (1) CBG, (3) CBG + G(O), (3) CBG + G(I), (4) F-CBG, (5) F-CBG + G(O) and (6) F-CBG + G(I). Nitrogen balance was 3.67, 4.86, 4.80, 5.04, 5.73 and 6.04 g/day and urinary N was 6.50, 4.10, 4.42, 5.25, 3.26 and 3.00 g/day for treatments 1,2,3,4,5 and 6, respectively. Nitrogen balance was increased and urinary nitrogen decreased (P < .005) by formaldehyde treatment and addition of G. Crude protein digested was decreased (P < .005) by G but was unaffected by formaldehyde (P > .05). Concentration of essential amino acids in plasma was decreased by addition of G (P < .005). Digestion of cellulose and hemicellulose was decreased by G (P < .005) administered orally but was unaffected by G infusion or formaldehyde treatment. Addition of G thus increased the overall efficiency of nitrogen and energy utilization.