Ortolani, 2001. Ciencia Rural, 31 (2): 257-261

Twelve crossbred dairy calves (6-months old), reared on a sulfur-deficient pasture, Brachiaria decumbens, were used. The calves were randomly assigned in two groups of six calves each to determine the influence of sulfur (S) supplementation on some clinical and serum biochemical variables. Blood samples were analysed for inorganic sulfate urea, protein and albumin concentration. All the animals were fed a basal-supplement mix containing macro and microelements, urea and ground corn grain supplemented with S (41g/kg) or without S (elemental S; 1g/kg), for six months. At the end of the experiment, the S-supplemented calves had higher mean body weight ( P<0.01), body condition score ( P<0.016), serum inorganic sulfate concentration ( P<0.001) and serum albumin concentration ( P<0.01) than the S-deficient calves. The unsupplemented dairy calves exhibited loss of body conditon, retarded growth, weight loss and slight apathy.