Abstract
This experiment was conducted to investigate the protein sparing effect of rumen protected lysine(RPLys) and methionine hydroxyl analogue(MHA) in sheep. The treatments were $T_1$ (CP 15% + RPLys 0%), $T_2$ (CP 12% + RPLys 0%), $T_3$ (CP 12% + RPLys 0.4%) and $T_4$ (CP 12% + RPLys 0.4% + MHA 0.3%). Ruminal characteristics, in situ and in vitro digestibility and nitrogen retention rate were measured in sheep receiving different combinations of dietary supplement. The results are summarized as follows: 1. Ruminal pH and VFA concentrations were not affected by the treatments. Ruminal ammonia-N concentration was high in sheep fed diets $T_2$, $T_3$ and $T_4$ with the highest value in the $T_4$ treatment(p<0.05). 2. The digestibilities of dry matter and organic matter were not affected by the treatments. 3. Nitrogen losses through feces and urine were the highest with $T_1$ (p<0.05) and nitrogen retention rates of groups $T_1$, $T_2$, $T_3$ and $T_4$ were 18.6, 32.4, 35.5 and 27.5% of nitrogen intake, respectively, indicating that RPLys supplementation improved nitrogen retention in sheep.