Changes in intramuscular amino acid levels in submaximally exercised horses – a pilot study

The time‐dependent changes in intramuscular amino acid (AA) levels caused by exercise and by feeding a protein/AA supplement were analysed in nine horses. Horses were submitted to a total of four standardized exercise tests (SETs). Amino acid concentrations were determined prior to, immediately after, 4 and 18 h after exercise. The experiment was subdivided into two consecutive periods of 3 weeks. In each period two SETs were performed. In the second period, horses were given a protein/AA supplement within 1 h after exercise. Significant changes in mean plasma AA levels similar to previous studies were noted to be time‐dependent and to be associated with feeding the supplement. The intramuscular concentrations of the free AA in relation to pre‐exercise levels showed significant time‐dependent changes for alanine, asparagine, aspartate, citrulline, glutamine, glycine, isoleucine, leucine, methionine, serine, taurine, threonine, tyrosine and valine. Feeding the supplement significantly increased the 4 h post‐exercise intramuscular concentration of alanine, isoleucine, methionine and tyrosine. At 18 h after exercise, apart from isoleucine and methionine, levels were still increased and also those of asparagine, histidine and valine in relation to none treatment. Hence, it was concluded that AA mixtures administered orally to horses within 1 h after exercise increased intramuscular AA pool.     

The effects of short intensive exercise on plasma free amino acids in standardbred trotters

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of short intense exercise on plasma amino acid concentrations in trotters and to test the repeatability of plasma amino acids concentration in samples obtained on two independent days under field conditions. Plasma amino acid concentrations were analysed in blood samples of 36 standardbred trotters before and after intense exercise over a distance of 2000 m. Sampling was repeated in 20 horses after 35 days. Exercise intensity was estimated from post‐exercise lactate levels. Horses were divided in two groups according to a cut‐off lactate concentration at 15 mmol/l. The plasma concentrations of alanine, aspartate, glutamate, isoleucine, leucine, lysine and taurine increased and arginine, asparagine, citrulline, glutamine, glycine, histidine, methionine, serine, tryptophan and 3‐methylhistidine decreased after exercise. Ornithine, threonine, tyrosine, phenylalanine and valine concentrations remained constant. Higher intensity of exercise significantly decreased tryptophan and increased taurine concentrations. Sampling day had a significant effect on the absolute pre‐ and post‐exercise amino acid concentrations. Exercise had a significant influence on the concentrations of most plasma amino acids in trotters. These changes could reflect shifts between the free amino acid compartments, but there were also some indications for muscle catabolism. The amino acid supply of sporting horses could be of specific significance for maintaining muscle integrity and for the improvement of post‐exercise recovery of competition horses.     

Amino acid interactions in chick nutrition. 2. Interrelationships between leucine, isoleucine and valine

The nature of interactions between leucine, isoleucine and valine has been examined in the young chick. In a preliminary experiment excess leucine was added to a diet limiting in isoleucine. The consequent growth depression was partially reversed by additional isoleucine. The plasma amino acid data indicated that the circulating levels of isoleucine and valine were lowered by the surplus load of leucine. Addition of excess leucine to another diet prevented the growth response to the first limiting amino acid, methionine, but permitted the response if this diet were adequately supplemented with isoleucine. Another diet was prepared in which the level of isoleucine was limiting and the level of valine marginally adequate. The growth retardations following addition of large quantities of leucine were reversed primarily by valine. Complete restoration of growth occurred when both valine and isoleucine were present as additional supplements. Excess methionine added to a diet limiting in valine inhibited growth severely but reversal did not occur following valine supplementation.

The results establish the existence of specific interactions between leucine‐isoleucine and leucine‐valine which account adequately for the adverse effects of leucine. Of these interactions, that between leucine and valine appears to be nutritionally more significant. The results are discussed in the light of the concept of agent and target.     

Effect of prolonged branched-chain amino acid supplementation on metabolic response to anaerobic exercise in standardbreds

This study investigated the effect of prolonged BCAA supplementation on metabolic response to a 1600m run on treadmill in Standardbred trotters. Four trained Standardbreds were divided into two groups and assigned in a 2×2 Latin square design. Both groups were fed and exercised similarly: one group received an oral amino acids supplement (12 g leucine, 9 g isoleucine and 9 g valine) 30 minutes prior to exercise and immediately after, the other group received a placebo. The horses received the supplement 3 days per week for 5 weeks. In the last week horses performed an anaerobic exercise test on an inclined (3.5%) high-speed treadmill. The exercise consisted of a 15 minute warm-up phase immediately followed by a 1600 m run at maximal speed (heart rate > 200 beats/min). Blood samples were collected pre-exercise, after exercise and during recovery (10 min, 30 min, and 24 h), and analyzed for lactate, ammonia, total protein, urea, uric acid, creatinine, free fatty acids (FFA), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate amino transferase (AST). Heart rate was continuously recorded during exercise and recovery. No statistical differences between the groups were observed for all the considered parameters. Nevertheless, BCAA supplementation resulted in a higher plasma ammonia and urea concentrations as reported in previous studies in humans and rats. These data suggest that a BCAA supplementation are not effective in enhancing performance in healthy and well-fed horses.     

Isoleucine requirements of the chicken: the effect of excess leucine and valine on the response to isoleucine.

1. Three experiments were designed to determine the response of broiler chickens to dietary isoleucine, and to quantify the antagonistic effects of excess leucine and valine on this response. 2. A dilution technique was used to measure the responses in growth rate and food intake to a range of diets differing in their isoleucine concentrations. A summit diet was formulated to contain isoleucine at 1.14 times the requirement and with leucine (1.76 times the requirement) and valine (1.87 times the requirement) at the minimum possible concentrations, given the ingredients available. A dilution mixture, devoid of protein, was formulated to correspond in all respects, other than in amino acid content, to the summit diet. These two basal diets were blended in different proportions to give a range of diets of decreasing isoleucine and protein content. 3. In experiment 1 the response was measured to isoleucine with leucine and valine remaining in the same proportion to isoleucine throughout the range of diets fed. In experiments 2 and 3, however, L-leucine and L-valine were added to the diets either singly or in combination to give 6 isoleucine concentrations and 3 ratios of each of leucine and valine to isoleucine. 4. Weight gain decreased as the isoleucine content of the diet was reduced, whereas food intake of broilers fed on the marginally deficient diets increased to a maximum and then decreased. FCE decreased curvilinearly as the isoleucine concentration in the food decreased, reflecting a concomitant change in the fat content of the broilers. 5. It is possible that the amount of dietary isoleucine assumed to be available to the broilers in these experiments was overestimated by hydrolysing the food samples for 72 h, and the doubt thus created makes an estimate of the efficiency of retention of isoleucine suspect. 6. Excess valine had no effect on the response to isoleucine, whereas an increase in the leucine to isoleucine ratio depressed food intake and hence weight gain, but only at the lowest concentrations of isoleucine. 7. If the food content of isoleucine is sufficient to meet the requirements of the broiler, relatively large excesses of leucine, of valine, or of both will not depress growth.     

A preliminary study on the changes in some potential markers of muscle-cell degradation in sub-maximally exercised horses supplemented with a protein and amino acid mixture

In this preliminary study, time-dependent changes in plasma CK and AST activity, tyrosine (Tyr), 3-methyl-histidine (3mHis), glucose and lactate concentrations were analysed in nine horses under two different conditions. Furthermore, intramuscular concentrations of Tyr, 3mHis and activities of cathepsin B, acid phosphatase (ACP), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and mRNA expression of ubiquitin were determined at the same time. After studying the effects of exercise alone, the effects of exercise and feeding of an experimental protein/amino acid (AA) supplement were analysed. Horses were submitted to a total of four standardised exercise tests (SETs) of high intensity. Potential markers of muscle break down were determined prior to, immediately after, 4 and 18 h after exercise. The experiment was subdivided into two consecutive periods of 3 weeks. In each period, two SETs were performed. In the second period, horses were fed with the protein/AA supplement within 1 h after exercise. Significant changes in plasma, intramuscular Tyr levels and mRNA expression of ubiquitin were caused both by time in relation to exercise and by treatment with the protein/AA supplement. The experimental supplement significantly decreased the 4-h post-exercise expression of ubiquitin mRNA in muscle. Only a borderline increase of markers of lysosomal involvement was seen and CK and AST activity generally showed their normal post-exercise patterns. A clear post-exercise reduction of this CK activity, however, was not observed after supplementation with the protein/AA mixture. The current findings indicate that horses might benefit from protein and AA supplementation directly after training by decreasing post-exercise proteolysis. The results support that further studies should be performed to characterize changes in equine protein metabolism caused by exercise including underlying molecular mechanisms.     

Does a single bout of exercise cause adaptation of amino acid metabolism in pigs?

Amino acid responses to exercise stress in well-trained racehorses and human athletes are well characterised, but the knowledge of amino acid metabolism during and after exercise in inactive animal species is limited. To study this, plasma amino acid concentrations were measured in previously unexercised pigs which performed two exercise tests on a treadmill with an interval of one week. In general, the changes in amino acids were more pronounced after the second than after the first exercise bout. Alanine, glutamine, phenylalanine and tyrosine were elevated for one hour only after the latter exercise. Twenty-four hours after the second exercise isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, tyrosine and valine were increased, but only isoleucine was increased after the first test. These differences between the two tests might be explained by adaptation of the amino acid metabolism after a single exercise bout and suggest that domestic pigs are well suited to study the early effects of exercise.     

支链氨基酸调控机体糖代谢的研究进展

支链氨基酸是体内最丰富的必需氨基酸,包括亮氨酸﹑异亮氨酸和缬氨酸。支链氨基酸具有促进蛋白质合成、提高机体免疫力和促进胚胎发育等生理功能。支链氨基酸在机体糖代谢调节中发挥着重要作用,其可以通过调控机体胰岛素的分泌﹑胰岛素的敏感性以及葡萄糖转运载体的表达和易位等方式调控糖代谢。本文对支链氨基酸在体内的代谢途径及其调控机体糖代谢的途径进行综述。     

亮氨酸和缬氨酸在绵羊骨骼肌和肾组织中的分解代谢

本研究测得5头15月龄体重33.5±2.5千克的美利奴羯羊血浆、骨骼肌和肾组织中游离分支氨基酸含量为:缬氨酸含量>亮氨酸含量)异亮氨酸含量。组织中游离分支氨基酸含量略高于血浆中含量。不同组织(骨骼肌和肾)中分支氨基酸转氨酶(EC 2.6.1.42)在作用底物(亮氨酸或缬氨酸)相同时的Km值相近似,但Vmax却呈现较大的差异。组织中游离亮氨酸和缬氨酸在不同含量水平下的转氨基分解量显著不同(P<0.01)。当组织中游离亮氨酸和缬氨酸含量在1.5～5倍于正常组织水平范围内变化时,分解量的增加幅度为0.5～3倍。实验结果初步表明,酶的活性诱导作用是绵羊组织中分支氨基酸代谢性拮抗作用机制之一。     

Individual differences and repeatability of post-prandial changes of plasma-free amino acids in young horses

Few data are available on post-prandial changes of plasma amino acids (AAs) in horses and on the repeatability and the individual variance on different sampling days. The objective of the present study was to measure pre- and post-prandial concentrations of plasma AA in 10 yearling horses. Blood samples were taken on days 1 and 40 of the study before feeding of hay, oats and soya meal and over an 8 h post-prandial period in 2-h intervals. The plasma AAs were measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography after ortho-phthalaldehyde derivatization. Mean fasting concentrations of the AAs were not significantly influenced by the individuum and sampling day. Repeatability of the fasting AA levels in the individual horses on two different sampling days was only found for histidine, 3-methylhistidine, methionine, tryptophan and taurine. While the absolute post-prandial AA concentrations differed between sampling days, the relative changes were comparable. All AA concentrations except 3-methylhistidine increased after feeding by 13% to more than 200% of their fasting values if the combined data of both days were analysed. Four hours after feeding the concentrations of arginine, asparagine, lysine, leucine, isoleucine and threonine, decreased more than 20%. Histidine, methionine, phenylalanine, valine, tryptophan, glutamine, glycine, tyrosine and taurine concentrations decreased by less than 20%. Concentrations of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, ornithine, serine and citrulline remained elevated. Most AA approached the fasting concentrations at 8 h, only glycine increased between 6 and 8 h after meal and 3-methyl-histidine concentrations were constant throughout the entire period. In conclusion, the pre-prandial plasma AA in horses appeared less influenced by individuum or sampling day than post-prandial plasma AA concentrations. Therefore, plasma AA concentrations should be interpreted only under well-defined conditions, especially regarding the feeding regimen.     

Insulin responses to administrations of amino acids and fatty acids in healthy cats

In order to compare the stimulation ability of insulin secretion, we determined changes in plasma glucose and insulin concentrations after intravenous administration of various amino acids and essential fatty acids in clinically healthy adult cats. Plasma glucose concentrations were within the normal ranges after injection of amino acids and fatty acids. Plasma insulin concentrations increased rapidly 2 to 4 min after injection of arginine, then decreased to the basal levels at 20 min in all five cats. Insulin peak responses were significantly greater in arginine injections than in normal saline (P<0.01). Areas under the curve (AUC) of plasma insulin concentrations from 0 to 10 min after injection of arginine were significantly larger than after injection of normal saline (P<0.01) and glucose (P<0.05). Increases in AUC of plasma insulin concentration from 0 to 60 min were observed after injection of arginine, leucine, alanine, and fat emulsion. Arginine had a strong insulinotropic effect, and leucine, alanine, and fatty acids had weak ones. Besides, valine, methionine, taurine and glutamine had no stimulant activity of insulin. Given the risk of glucose toxication and required time for testing, the intravenous arginine tolerance test may be useful for estimation of insulin responses in cats.     

Concentrations of amino acids in the plasma of neonatal foals with septicemia

Concentrations of amino acids in the plasma of 13 neonatal foals with septicemia were compared with the concentrations of amino acids in the plasma of 13 age-matched neonatal foals without septicemia. Analysis of the results revealed significantly lower concentrations of arginine, citrulline, isoleucine, proline, threonine, and valine in the plasma of foals with septicemia. The ratio of the plasma concentrations of the branched chain amino acids (isoleucine, leucine, and valine) to the aromatic amino acids (phenylalanine and tyrosine), was also significantly lower in the foals with septicemia. In addition, the concentrations of alanine, glycine, and phenylalanine were significantly higher in the plasma of foals with septicemia. Therefore, neonatal foals with septicemia had significant differences in the concentrations of several amino acids in their plasma, compared with concentrations from healthy foals. These differences were compatible with protein calorie inadequacy and may be related to an alteration in the intake, production, use, or clearance of amino acids from the plasma pool in sepsis.     

Resting concentrations of the plasma free amino acids in horses following chronic submaximal exercise training

Six horses were conditioned on a treadmill at a constant speed of 5.6 km/hr on a 12.5% grade for gradually increasing periods of time over 14 days in order to determine the effect of repeated submaximal exercise on the concentrations of plasma free amino acids, protein metabolism, and plasma volume. Following 14-days of training, plasma volume increased (29%, P<0.05), as did total circulating content of plasma protein, albumin and urea. Urinary urea nitrogen excretion decreased (P<0.05) with exercise training. After the first week of training, the concentration of glycine had decreased (P<0.05) and the concentrations glutamic acid, arginine and alanine were increased (P<0.05) when compared to their corresponding pre-training (control week) levels. Compared to pretraining levels, there were decreases (P<0.05) in aspartic acid, histidine, arginine, valine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, and lysine, following the second week of training. Following a week of recovery, all resting concentrations of plasma free amino acids; when compared to their pretraining control; had decreased, with the exception of three nonessential amino acids (glutamic acid,serine, and glycine). Based upon the results of the present study, it would appear that exercise training produced a significant change in the amino acid and protein metabolism of the horse.     

Isoleucine requirement of broiler chicks as affected by the concentrations of leucine and valine in practical diets.

1. Chicks were fed on an isoleucine-deficient diet, with 6 added concentrations of isoleucine to determine their isoleucine requirement and an additional 6 treatments were devised to determine their isoleucine requirement when dietary leucine and valine contents were increased. 2. The diet deficient in isoleucine contained 5.6 g/kg isoleucine with leucine and valine contents of 20.1 and 10.3 g/kg, respectively. Supplementation with leucine and valine increased these to 24.7 and 12.6 g/kg, respectively. 3. The isoleucine requirement was not affected by dietary leucine and valine contents in a diet with 13.4 MJ of ME per kg. Analysis of variance and Least Significant Difference of means indicated an isoleucine requirement of 7.2 g/kg. Non-linear regression of the same data indicated an isoleucine requirement of 8.44 g/kg, based on weight gain, or 8.19 g/kg based on food efficiency. 4. Reasons for the failure to find an imbalancing effect of branched chain amino acids in practical diets are discussed.     

Exercise induced hormonal and metabolic changes in Thoroughbred horses: effects of conditioning and acepromazine

Nine Thoroughbred horses were assessed to determine the normal response of insulin, glucose, cortisol, plasma potassium (K) and erythrocyte K through conditioning and to exercise over 400 and 1,000 m. In addition, adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol, plasma K, erythrocyte K and L-lactate concentrations were evaluated in response to maximal exercise with and without the administration of acepromazine. Conditioning caused no obvious trends in plasma K, erythrocyte K, insulin or glucose concentration. Serum cortisol increased (P less than 0.05) from the initial sample at Week 1 to Weeks 4 and 5 (attributed to a response to training), and then decreased. During conditioning, three horses had low erythrocyte K concentrations (less than 89.3 mmol/litre). Further work is needed to define the significance of low erythrocyte K concentrations in the performance horse. In all tests maximal exercise increased plasma K, glucose and cortisol concentrations, whereas insulin and erythrocyte K concentrations decreased. Thirty minutes following exercise, plasma K and erythrocyte K concentrations returned to resting values; whereas glucose and cortisol concentrations continued to increase and the insulin concentration also was increased. The magnitude of the changes varied for pre-conditioned vs post-conditioned exercise tests and the duration of exercise. The administration of acepromazine prior to exercise over 1,000 m failed to alter the circulating noradrenaline and adrenaline concentrations in anticipation of exercise or 2 mins following exercise. Acepromazine administration, however, did cause lower L-lactate concentration 2 mins (P less than 0.03) and 30 mins (P less than or equal to 0.005) following exercise. Also, erythrocyte K showed a delayed return to baseline levels at 30 mins post exercise. Further evaluation of these trends may help explain the beneficial role acepromazine plays in limiting signs of exertional rhabdomyolysis when administered prior to exercise.     

补喂支链氨基酸对速步马1km速步赛成绩及赛前、赛后血浆生化指标的影响

本试验旨在通过研究补喂支链氨基酸对速步马1 km速步赛成绩及赛前、赛后血浆抗氧化指标以及激素、肌酸、葡萄糖、乳酸、肌酐含量的影响,为支链氨基酸在速步马训练、比赛中的应用提供参考数据。试验选取年龄相近(4岁左右)、体重相近[(457±50)kg]并经过严格训练的伊犁马公马8匹(速步赛用马),随机分为2组,分别为对照组、试验组,每组4匹。每天每匹马分别饲喂3 kg颗粒精料,苜蓿干草自由采食,在此基础上试验组每天每匹马补喂72 g支链氨基酸(由35.0 g亮氨酸、16.6 g异亮氨基酸、20.4 g缬氨酸组成),进行为期38 d(预试期7 d,正试期31 d)的补饲试验及训练试验。结果表明:补喂支链氨基酸可提高速步马的比赛成绩,同时显著提高速步马赛后30 min血浆总抗氧化能力及赛后24 h血浆超氧化物歧化酶活力(P0.05),但对血浆中激素、肌酸、葡萄糖、乳酸、肌酐含量无显著影响(P0.05)。由此得出,补喂支链氨基酸可缩短速步马比赛用时,提高速步马机体的抗氧化能力,但对血浆中激素、葡萄糖、肌酸、乳酸、肌酐含量无显著影响。     

The effects of branched-chain amino acids on sow and litter performance

Sows (n = 306; PIC, Line C-19; average parity 2.1) were used to evaluate the interrelationship between valine, isoleucine, and leucine on sow and litter performance. Our objective was to determine whether the increase in litter weaning weight associated with added dietary valine is specific for valine or a result of the total branched-chain amino acid (i.e., isoleucine and[or] leucine) concentration of the diet. Eight dietary treatments (36 to 41 sows/treatment) were arranged as a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial with two levels of valine (.80 and 1.20%), isoleucine (.68 and 1.08%), and leucine (1.57 and 1.97%). This provided total branched-chain amino acid levels of 3.05, 3.45, 3.85, and 4.25%. The lowest level of each branched-chain amino acid was similar to that in a .90% lysine corn-soybean meal diet containing .15% L-lysine HCl. Amino acids other than valine, isoleucine, and leucine met or exceeded their suggested estimates relative to lysine using ratios derived from the National and Agricultural Research Councils. Average number of pigs on d 2 of lactation was 11.2, and average lactation length was 20.9 d. Number of pigs weaned (x = 10.6), sow ADFI (x = 5.85 kg), and sow weight loss (x = 4.25 kg) were not affected by dietary treatment (P > .10). Sow backfat loss (P < .02), litter weaning weight (P < .04), and litter weight gain from d 2 to weaning (P > .05) increased as dietary valine increased. Litter weight at weaning and litter weight gain were not affected by dietary isoleucine (P > .80) or leucine (P > .60). Sixteen or 17 sows per treatment (129 total) were milked manually on d 14 to 16 of lactation. Increasing dietary valine tended to increase milk urea N (P < .07) but did not affect milk DM, CP, fat, lactose, or ash. Increasing dietary isoleucine or leucine had no effects on milk composition. These results confirm the importance of dietary valine for increased litter weaning weight, independent of either additional dietary leucine or isoleucine.     

Amino acid concentrations in blood serum of horses performing long lasting low-intensity exercise

The aim of this work was to evaluate the changes in the concentrations, after two rides different for distance covered, of different amino acids in endurance horses. Blood samples have been collected from horses just before the start, at the top of a steep slope (819 m difference in height) and just at the end of a 32-km endurance ride. A second group, competing in a 72 km endurance ride, has also been sampled immediately before and after the race. In serum samples, the concentrations of alanine, arginine, asparagine, glycine, isoleucine, histidine, leucine, lysine, methionine, ornithine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, tyrosine and valine have been measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). anova and t-test have been used to study the differences in the concentrations of the amino acids. The pre-ride concentrations of the free amino acids were different between the two races, except for methionine and leucine. Differences between start and end race have been found for both groups for all the considered parameters except asparagine, isoleucine, leucine and lysine for the 72 km ride. Increases have been recorded for the shorter and decreases for the longer ride in the blood serum concentrations. Significant increases have also been found between the starting sampling and the second, at the top of the slope, only for alanine, arginine, asparagines, phenylalanine and lysine. The ride length has a significant impact on blood serum amino acids mobilization and uptake; in the shorter race the increases stand only for mobilization, whereas in the longer the decrease can be considered the effect of the onset of the amino acids catabolism.     

Comparison of the effects of fructose and glucose supplementation on metabolic responses in resting and exercising horses

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two different carbohydrate sources (fructose and glucose) on the metabolic responses in resting and exercising horses. The following regimes were fed in randomized order to five trained horses at rest and immediately before or during exercise. The resting regime comprised 0.6 kg grass meal pellets (control) or 0.6 kg grass meal pellets supplemented with either 50% glucose or 50% fructose. The exercise regime comprised 0.3 kg grass meal (control) or 0.6 kg grass meal pellets supplemented with either 50% glucose or 50% fructose fed immediately before or during simulated endurance exercise on a treadmill (30 km, total running time 120 min; 15 min rest after 60 min running time). Blood samples were collected for the analysis of glucose, insulin, free fatty acids (FFA) and lactate. In resting horses, glucose supplementation resulted in a significantly higher glycaemic and insulinaemic response than the control or fructose feedings (treatment P < 0.05). Plasma glucose levels were significantly higher after glucose supplementation given before or during exercise. Similar plasma glucose concentrations were observed after fructose was fed before exercise, whereas fructose supplementation during exercise resulted in a lower glycaemic response than glucose feeding (P < 0.05). Plasma insulin, FFA and lactate levels showed exercise-related changes (time P < 0.05), but treatment did not effect these results. Plasma glucose concentrations were elevated during the simulated endurance exercise after glucose feeding, and no counter-regulation by insulin occurred. The higher glycaemic response might be beneficial as exogenous glucose can be used as an energetic substrate during prolonged exercise. Fructose exhibited no clear advantages in comparison with glucose as a carbohydrate source for exercising horses.     

Amino acid interactions in chick nutrition. 4. Growth, food intake and plasma amino acid patterns

A series of experiments has been conducted with chicks to study the effects of excess lysine, leucine and incomplete mixtures of amino acids on growth, food intake and plasma amino acid patterns.

Excess lysine induced a marked depression in growth within 48 h. Towards the end of the experiment, the chicks lost weight and showed no signs of adaptation to the excess dose of lysine. The plasma concentration of arginine fell within 24 h of feeding excess lysine but the reduction in food intake did not occur until 6 d of the experiment had elapsed. Excess leucine similarly caused a rapid retardation of growth which was followed subsequently by a depression in food intake. Mixtures of amino acids lacking in leucine, isoleucine and valine also induced marked growth inhibitions the severity of which were enhanced by the inclusion of leucine and isoleucine in the mixtures. Growth tended to be adaptive in chicks fed on the incomplete amino acid mixtures but non‐adaptive in those fed on excess leucine.

Pair‐feeding studies indicated that appreciable differences in weight gain still occurred when food intake was equated between control groups and groups receiving excess lysine or leucine.

The results of the present study indicate that the depression in food intake cannot account completely for the ill‐effects of excess lysine and leucine. They also suggest that the adverse effects of lysine and leucine are distinct from those caused by incomplete mixtures of amino acids.