
%0 Journal Article
%A Judson, GJ 
%A Abdelsamie, R 
%A Bird, RB 
%T Digestion and utilization of <sup>35</sup>S-labelled bacteria placed in the caecum of the sheep
%J Australian Journal of Agricultural Research
%D 1975/08/01
%V 26
%N 4
%P 743-749
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/AR9750743
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/AR9750743 
%X Suspensions of ruminal bacteria made radioactive by growth in the presence of 3&#37; were injected into the caecum of sheep. The sheep were each given a daily ration of 540 g roughage and 235 g concentrates in 12 equal portions at 2-hourly intervals. Faeces and urine were collected, and peripheral blood was sampled at frequent intervals for up to 14 days after the caecal injection of radioactive bacteria. More than 99&#37; of the 35S in the bacterial suspensions was in the organic sulphur fraction. The percentages of administered 35S appearing in faeces and in urine (mean &plusminus; SEM) were respectively 69 &plusminus; 1 .8 and 21 &plusminus; 1.1; the corresponding percentages of this excreted 35S as inorganic sulphur were 16 &plusminus; 0.7 and 91 &plusminus; 2.3. The apparent digestibility of the 35S -labelled bacteria was 31&#37;, and the adjusted digestibility was about 42&#37;. The appearance of organic 35S in plasma immediately after the caecal injection of radioactive bacteria indicates that some organic 35S was absorbed from the hindgut. Of the 10 &plusminus; 2.3&#37; of the injected 35S dose retained by sheep at the end of the sampling period, about 3&#37; was present in the fleece. 
