Topics:
Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher
Urinary Energy Loss in Cattle
Urinary energy loss in case of cattle is ______ % of GE intake.
- 2-3
- 4-5 — Correct Answer
- 7-9
- 10-12
Explanation:
Correct Answer: 4–5%
In ruminants like cattle, the energy excreted in urine is primarily as urea (from nitrogen metabolism), representing 4–5% of Gross Energy Intake (GEi).
Urinary Energy Loss — Species Comparison
| Species | Urinary Energy Loss (% GEi) |
|---|---|
| Cattle (Ruminants) | 4–5% |
| Pigs | 2–3% |
Why Ruminants Lose More Urinary Energy
- Rumen microbes produce large amounts of microbial protein → increased nitrogen turnover → more urea in urine
- Main path of excretion of Na⁺ and K⁺ is via urine
- Main path of excretion of Ca and P is via faeces
- Exception: In carnivores, main path of P excretion is via urine
Energy Partitioning Sequence
- GE → (−Faecal E) → DE → (−Urinary E, −CH₄) → ME → (−HF, −HNM) → NE
Why Other Options Are Wrong
- 2–3% → correct for pigs, not cattle
- 7–9% → this is methane energy loss, not urinary energy
- 10–12% → too high; no standard animal loses this much urinary energy
📚 About this Topic — Animal Nutrition
This multiple choice question is from Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher. It has 4 options with a detailed explanation of the correct answer. Practice more MCQs from Animal Nutrition to strengthen your preparation.
