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Effect of Urea in the Ration of Cattle on Vitamin Synthesis in the Rumen¹

Department of Biochemistry

N. F. Colovos

Department of Dairy Science, University of New Hampshire, Durham

ABSTRACT

That diet influences the intestinal flora of various species of animals, and that most of the B complex vitamins are synthesized by microorganisms in the digestive tract, are well established facts (2, 6, 8). Such synthetic activity makes ruminants relatively independent of a dietary source of many of the water-soluble vitamins. Since this independence could be seriously affected by alterations in the rumen flora, knowledge concerning the influence of various types of ration on rumen synthesis of vitamins is of fundamental importance.

The inclusion of urea in the ration of ruminants, as partial replacement of protein as a source of nitrogen, is an established practice (1). The rumen microorganisms utilize the urea nitrogen to synthesize their own cellular protein which can then be utilized by the host animal. It is conceivable that some microorganisms can make use of this source of nitrogen better than others, and even that some might be inhibited by the presence of urea. Since, presumably, many of these microorganisms are the same ones which supply the host with B vitamins, knowledge concerning the effect of urea on this vitamin synthesis would be of considerable value.

¹ Published with the approval of the Director of the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station as Scientific Contribution No. 294.