Value of Urea in the Diet of Rabbits

Abstract

Summary

The addition of urea to a diet low in protein did not increase the rate of gain of rabbits. From the data it is apparent that this species cannot use urea in the diet as a replacement of part of the protein. Rabbits fed diets containing 10% of casein as the sole source of protein or 10% casein plus 3.43% urea developed typical vitamin A deficiency symptoms as compared with the control group fed a diet similar except that it contained 20% of casein. The results suggest that protein has a protective action on the oxidation of vitamin A in the diets or that it has a sparing action on the vitamin A requirements of the rabbit.