No abstract

New Zealand Romney wethers were infused intravenously with 2 and 4 g per day of cysteine hydrochloride. Their wool growth rates were compared with those of saline-infused controls. Cysteine infusion apparently counteracted the winter depression in wool growth. No difference in response between 2 and 4 g per day was detected.In a second experiment, New Zealand Romney wethers were fed two dietary protein levels and were infused with 2 g per day of cysteine hydrochloride. Their wool growth rates were compared with saline-infused controls fed comparable levels of dietary protein.Significant increases (p < 0.01) in wool growth rate from the cysteine-infused sheep and a significant' protein level x cysteine infusion interaction were observed. The sheep fed the high-protein diet grew more wool than those fed the low-protein diet.

Rumen fluid was obtained from rumen fistulated cows (two of high (HS) and two of low (LS) susceptibility to bloat) which were bred in experimental herds subjected to long-term divergent genetic selection for pasture bloat susceptibility. In vitro fermentation using strained rumen fluid from each cow with various pasture juice substrates showed no differences between HS and LS in gas production per unit of rumen fluid or in foam production per unit of gas production. Fluid from cows on grazed pasture produced greatest gas volumes. Clover juices produced more foam of similar stability to ryegrass and mixed pasture juices. Foam production per unit of gas was greater for all juices when the rumen fluid was from cows grazing bloat potent pasture.