Research article

ANALYSIS OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF UREA NITROGEN LEVELS IN MILK AND BLOOD IN DAIRY CATTLE.

Diego Fabián Maldonado Arias 1 , José Miguel Mira Naranjo 2, Luis Alfredo Mena Miño 2, Víctor Miguel Toalombo Vargas 3.

Online First: April 25, 2023


The determination of urea nitrogen levels in blood and milk is considered an alternative to determining the protein balance of dairy cattle. The ratio of rumen-degradable and non-rumen-degradable proteins is the origin of ammonia production, which is transformed into urea by the liver, circulates in the blood, and is partially excreted in the milk. The detoxification of ammonia constitutes a loss of energy for the dairy cow which limits milk production. The use of Yucca shidighera plant extract helps to retain the ammonia released in the rumen and increases its utilization by the microflora, limiting the increase of urea nitrogen in blood and milk.

Keywords

urea nitrogen, milk, blood, dairy cattle, Yucca shidighera.