Nitrogen flow and exchanges in the digestive tract were measured in three goats during a dry stage and a subsequent hormonally induced lactation stage. Two diets, formulated with and without urea to contain either a high or low level of crude protein and rumen-degradable protein (RDP), were tested in a crossover experimental design within each stage. The amount of urea nitrogen (N) recycled to the ruminoreticulum was higher (P < 0.05) during lactation (3.5 g d−1) than in the dry stage (0.9 g d−1), as was plasma urea concentration. However, the mean amount of urea recycled was lower (P < 0.05) when the high-RDP diet was fed (1.4 g N d−1) than when the low-RDP diet was fed (3.0 g N d−1), even though the plasma urea concentration tended to be higher in goats fed the high-RDP diet. Of the estimated ruminally available N, 90–110% was incorporated into microbial cells. The proportion of bacterial N derived from rumen ammonia (0.77–0.89) was not influenced by protein source or lactation. Of the amino acids flowing into the duodenum, 69–75% were apparently absorbed in the small intestine, whereas total digestive tract apparent digestibility ranged from 81 to 83%. No more than 60% of the fecal N was derived from undigested bacteria from the rumen. It was concluded that the amount of urea which is recycled to the rumen is under metabolic control and that there is efficient use of ruminally available N by rumen microorganisms. Key words: Goats, lactation, rumen-degradable protein, 15N, urea recycling, amino acids
