Why non protein nitrogen is added in ruminant feed?
Non protein nitrogen (NPN) is added to ruminant feed to enhance microbial protein synthesis in the rumen. Ruminants have a unique digestive system that allows them to break down plant materials through fermentation in their specialized stomach called the rumen. Within the rumen, there are billions of microorganisms known as rumen microbes that have the ability to convert dietary nitrogen into microbial protein.
However, the availability of dietary nitrogen can sometimes limit the microbial protein synthesis in the rumen. Therefore, non protein nitrogen sources such as urea or ammonia compounds are added to ruminant feed to provide additional nitrogen for the rumen microbes to efficiently utilize. This allows for increased microbial protein production, which is then available for the ruminant to be digested and absorbed in the lower digestive system.
Supplementing with NPN sources can help improve the protein content and overall nutritional value of the feed, leading to better growth, performance, and productivity of ruminant animals.