The weight and protein distribution, as well as the essential amino acid composition of the carcass, internal and external offal of Merino and Dohne Merino male lambs were investigated. Differences in the weight and protein distribution, as well as the essential amino acid composition of specific parts of the whole empty body illustrated the inadequacy of a single body component as a predictor of amino acid requirements for growth of lambs and also stressed differences in amino acid requirements between breeds.