Author : Caluya, Rogelio R.

Summary : A 16-week feeding trial in a 3 x 2 factorial experiment involving 3 levels of Ca and P in the ration ( A-2.6 g Ca and 1.17 g P/kg DM, B-3.85 g Ca and 1.76 g P/kg DM, and C-5.06 g Ca and 2.3 g P/kg DM) and 2 sexes (male and female) in a Randomized Complete Block Design was conducted. A total of 9 male and 9 female growing sheep (8-18 kg) was used to determine the level of Ca and P required, and the effect of supplementation on the Ca and P status, production performance, on the development of the reproductive system and their metabolism. Lambs fed ration B had significantly higher DMI and liveweight gain. These animals consumed significantly nore Ca but this did not affect serum Ca concentration. Serum Ca was significantly affected by collection period and the interaction of sex and collection period where the concentration decreased over time in males while it increased in the females. The mean serum P concentration decreased with time in lambs fed ration A and were lower in the females. Serum P was increased over time in lambs fed rations B and C but to a higher extent in the males fed ration B and females fed ration C.