Utilization of 15N-labeled urea in laying hens. 9. Bones, feathers and 15N-incorporation in the rest of the body

For studying the incorporation of the 15N labelled urea into individual organs and tissues 3 colostomized laying hens were butchered after they had received 1% urea (96.06 atom-% 15N excess) with a high quality ration over a period of six days and after receiving conventional urea for another two days. Nitrogen and atom-% 15N excess (15N') were determined in the bones, the feathers and the remaining body (skin, lungs and windpipe, head with comb and wattle, lower leg without bones and with skin, pancreas and fatty tissue). In the remaining body the atom-% 15N' was determined in 15 amino acids. The labelling in the remaining body and the bones was approximately the same and averaged 0.37 atom-% 15N'. A significantly lower relative frequency could be detected in the feathers. The lysine of the remaining body contained only 0.04 atom-% 15N', tyrosine 0.06, histidine and arginine 0.07. The phenylalanine and proline molecules were labelled with 0.11 atom-% 15N'. Most 15N' was incorporated in serine and glutamic acid with over 0.30 atom-%. In the six non-essential amino acids out of the 15 amino acids studied, 48.6 of the non isotopic nitrogen of the total N of the remaining body and 70.7% of the isotopic nitrogen of total 15N' could be detected. Consequently the urea-N is mainly used for the synthesis of the non-essential amino acids, with its utilization being very low.     

Utilization of 15N-labeled urea in laying hens. 8. 15N-incorporation in the amino acids of the oviduct

3 colostomized laying hybrids received orally with a conventional ration 1% urea with 96.06 atom-% 15N excess (15N'). over a period of 6 days. In the period of the experiment every hen consumed 2.87 g 15N'. After another 2 days, on which they received conventional feed urea, the animals were butchered. 15N' was determined in the total N and in 15 amino acids of the oviduct. Of the 15 amino acids the labelling of glutamic acid, glycine and serine was highest and on average amounted to 0.80, 0.66 and 0.67 atom-% 15N'. In lysine and arginine only 0.10 and 0.11 atom-% 15N' could be detected. The amino acid N with natural isotopic frequency amounted to a quarter for the basic amino acids, a tenth for the branched chain ones and for the non-essential ones (glutamic acid, aspartic acid, serine, glycine, alanine, proline) a third of the total oviduct 14N, The average quota of 15N' is only 3.6%, that of the branched chain amino acids 4.5 and that of the non-essential ones 21.1%. Consequently, the 15N' of the urea is mainly used for the synthesis of the non-essential amino acids of the oviduct.     

Effect of intraperitoneal administration of lysine and methionine on mohair yield and quality in Angora goats.

Eight mature Angora wethers (average BW 47.2 kg) were used in a 4 x 4 replicated Latin square design to evaluate responses to intraperitoneal (IP) administration of amino acids. The IP treatments consisted of saline (Control), methionine 1 g/d (Met), lysine 2 g/d (Lys), and methionine + lysine (Met + Lys). The amino acids dissolved in Control were infused continuously for the first 14 d of each 28-d period using peristaltic infusion pumps. Average d-28 grease and clean mohair yields (grams/100 square centimeters), and fiber diameter (micrometers) and length (centimeters) measurements during Control administration were 8.8, 7.6, 40, and 2.3, respectively. Mean clean mohair yield and fiber diameter increased by 5.3% (P less than .039) and 2.5% (P less than .067), respectively, with Met administration but were decreased by 9.2% (P less than .033) and 3.8% (P less than .001), respectively, by Lys administration; however, mean fiber length was increased (P less than .014) 21.7% by Lys infusion. The goats did not exhibit increased grease (P greater than .939) and clean (P greater than .477) mohair yields and fiber diameter (P greater than .619) when treated with Met+Lys. A N balance trial was conducted during d 10 through 14 of each period. Total retained N (grams per day) during Control administration was 18.4 and 24% greater than Met (P greater than .281) and Lys (P less than .061), respectively. When expressed as a proportion of N intake, retained N was lowest (P less than .127) in the Lys infusion group. Jugular blood ammonia N and plasma glucose and total protein concentrations were not affected (P greater than .10) by treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Utilization of N15-labelled urea in the laying hen. 6. Incorporation in the liver and kidneys

In an experiment 3 colostomized laying hybrids received a normal ration containing 1% 15N labelled urea with 96.06% atom-% 15N excess (15N') over six days. Subsequently the same ration with unlabelled urea was given over 2 days, after which the animals were butchered. In the kidneys the 15N' amounted to 1.1 atom-% and 1.8 atom-% in the liver. The TCA soluble N fraction and the ammonia were more highly labelled than the total N. Lysine, histidine and arginine were lowly labelled in the kidneys. This also applies to the liver with the exception of histidine. In the branch-chained and aromatic amino acids of the liver the 15N' was between 0.2 and 0.3 atom-%. The highest labelling of non-essential amino acids was found in glutamic acid with 0.9 atom-% 15N' and aspartic acid with 1.1 atom-% 15N'. The evaluation of the amino acid in the liver showed that the 6 non-essential amino acids account for two thirds of the total amino acid 15N' whereas the 9 essential ones account for one third of the amino acid 15N' only.     

Studies on the protein and amino-acid metabolism of laying hens using 15N-labelled casein. 15N-incorporation into N-fractions and amino acids of various parts of the body

Four colostomized Leghorn hens were fed, during 6 days, 15N-labelled casein as sole protein source. Two animals were slaughtered 48 hours, the other two 144 hours after the last 15N-application. The share of TCE-soluble N in total N averaged 16% for the body parts analysed, i.e. meat, bone, liver, kidneys, oviducts, residual viscera and other. The variation of the lysine, histidine and arginine levels in the body parts ranged from 3.6 to 7.9 g, 1.1. to 3.7 g and 6.4 to 7.4 g in 16.7 g hydrolysate N, respectively. Except for feathers, the analysed body parts contained and excess amount of heavy nitrogen. The degree of labelling was found to depend on the time of slaughtering after the tracer application. In the liver and in the oviduct being metabolically active organs, the 15N-excess in the total N fraction decreased by 45% between the 2nd and the 6th days after 15N-feeding, whilst in the meat it went down by 20%. The decline of the 15N-concentration in the TCE-soluble N compounds was faster than in the total N-fraction. Out of the body samples analysed, the lysine of the liver having 0.26 atom % 15N-excess was found to be more strongly labelled in hens 1 and 2. The amino acid arginine reached about the same level of labelling, the 15N-frequency of histidine being the lowest.     

Evaluation of amino-acid supplemented diets varying in protein levels for laying hens

The ideal amino acid concept is increasing by being applied to laying hens. However, understanding the responses of modern laying hens to decreasing levels of dietary protein balanced with crystalline amino acids has yet to be examined. In this study, 5 dietary treatments varying in CP content (18.0, 17.5, 17.0, 16.5, and 16.0%) were formulated at a fixed dietary energy concentration of 2,825 kcal of ME/kg of feed. The crystalline amino acids, including Met, Thr, Ile, Val, Trp, and Lys, were supplemented according to an assumed ideal AA profile, and all diets contained 0.831% ileal digestible Lys. Irrespective of the CP levels, the ratio of Lys and the profile of different essential amino acids in relation to Lys remained similar in all the diets. A total of 540 21-week-old Hy-Line W36 hens were used with 6 replicates per treatment group. This trial was conducted for a period of 14 wk, ranging from wk 21 to 34. Egg production, daily egg mass, feed intake, and FCR were not affected in the low-protein groups. Egg weight and N excretion declined, whereas egg yolk color increased in the low-protein groups. Decreasing dietary CP was found to have no effect on blood ammonia and plasma uric acid. The application of the assumed ideal AA profile can lead to reduced dietary protein level, from 18 to 16%, without affecting the production performance of laying hens during 21 to 34 wk of age. The ratios of standardized ileal digestible Met, Met + Cys, Thr, Trp, Arg, Ile, and Val to standardized ileal digestible Lys were 50, 91, 70, 21, 104, 80, and 88%, respectively, in the assumed ideal AA profile. Excretion of nitrogen was significantly decreased from hens fed the protein-reduced diet without impairing BW.     

不同生理阶段犊牛赖、蛋、苏氨酸平衡模式研究

应用部分扣除饲粮氨基酸(AA)的氮平衡试验法研究了中国荷斯坦犊牛不同生理阶段(2～3周龄和5～6周龄)赖(Lys)、蛋(Met)、苏氨酸(Thr)平衡模式。每个阶段各用12头犊牛进行N平衡试验。每个N平衡试验均设4个处理组,即氨基酸相对平衡的代乳品(PC)组(赖氨酸、蛋氨酸、苏氨酸含量依次为2.34%、0.72%、1.80%)、在PC基础上轮流将赖、蛋、苏氨酸扣除30%的其它3种代乳品(分别为PC-Lys、PC-Met、PC-Thr)组。每个处理设3个重复,每个重复1头牛。所有代乳品等能(17.8MJ/kg)等蛋白(22%)。试验结果表明,按单位代谢体重的N沉积与氨基酸摄入量计算,中国荷斯坦犊牛2～3周龄日粮模式为代乳品时,Lys、Met、Thr的平衡比例100:29:70;5～6周龄日粮模式为代乳品、开食料和羊草时,平衡比例为100:30:60;两阶段3种氨基酸的限制性顺序均为Lys、Met、Thr。     

Methodologic studies for the measurement of kinetic parameters of the metabolism of whole body protein in association with measurements of energy metabolism in rats

In 3 successive experiments with growing rats the suitability of pulse labelling with [15N]glycine, linked with a 14C labelling by means of [14C]lysine (experiment 3), was tested for the determination of kinetic parameters of the protein metabolism of the whole body by the application of the compartment model in comparison with pulse labelling with a 15N amino acid mixture (experiment 2) and long-time labelling with 15N with 15N labelled wheat in the feed (experiment 1) under standardized experiment conditions. In simultaneously carried out measurings of energy metabolism with parallel groups of animals the comparability of the metabolic development was studied. The ascertained values of protein synthesis rate, protein catabolism rate and re-utilization rate showed insignificant differences only between the 3 15N tracer variants (with certain limitations for the 'protein turnover' (P)-group of experiment 2) in comparison with errors of the applied methods, from which conclusions can be drawn for the suitability of [15N] glycine as tracer, at least under the experiment conditions tested. The protein synthesis and degradation rates ascertained from 14CO2 excretion in experiment 3 were clearly below those average values ascertained with 15N. The differences in the average heat production between the main periods of the 3 experiments were statistically insignificant.     

Methodologic aspects of the determination of N-exchange parameters from 15N-tracer studies in swine on the basis of models of N-metabolism. 3. Calculation of protein synthesis and decomposition rate on the basis of lysine flux, ascertained from the amount of 15N in the urine

The final product method introduced here is based on the use of 15N L-Lysine as tracer amino acid for the determination of the protein synthesis and decomposition quotas of the total body with the flux of lysine. For this purpose it is necessary to complete the N flow and N compartments of the 3-pool model by the values of lysine content. The ascertained values of protein synthesis--8.4 g/d/kg--and protein decomposition--6.9 g/d/kg--agree very well with those determined with 15N glycine as tracer amino acid.     

Apparent and standardized ileal digestibilities of amino acids for pigs fed corn- and soybean meal-based diets at varying crude protein levels

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of CP level in corn- and soybean meal-based diets on apparent (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of AA. Six pigs (initial BW, 47.1 ± 1.0 kg) fitted with T-cannula at the distal ileum were fed 6 diets for 6 periods in a 6 × 6 Latin square design. The 6 diets consisted of a nitrogen-free diet and 5 corn- and soybean meal-based diets that contained CP of 68, 105, 141, 177, and 214 g/kg. Each period consisted of a 5-d adjustment period and 2 d of ileal digesta collection for 10 h on each of d 6 and 7. The ratio of corn:soybean meal was fixed at 3 to 2 by weight and cornstarch was added to dilute the CP concentration. Chromic oxide was added at 5 g/kg as an indigestible marker. The results showed basal endogenous loss ranged from 65 mg/kg of DMI for Met to 3,104 mg/kg of DMI for Pro. Proline and Gly (1,053 mg/kg of DMI) were the 2 most abundant AA in endogenous flow and together accounted for approximately 43% of the total endogenous AA flow. Of the basal ileal endogenous CP, total AA accounted for 82%. The AID were 80.9 to 84.7%, 85.1 to 87.4%, 72.9 to 79.5%, and 86.5 to 87.9% for Lys, Met, Thr, and Trp, respectively, with corresponding SID being 86.6 to 89.0%, 87.5 to 90.5%, 82.7 to 88.2%, and 90.2 to 94.6%, respectively, as dietary CP increased from 68 to 214 g/kg. There were linear increases in AID of N, Arg, Gly, Ile, Lys, Ser, Thr, Tyr, and Val (P ≤ 0.05) as CP increased and linear decreases in SID of N and all AA measured in this study except Lys, Met, and Pro (P ≤ 0.05). Both linear and quadratic effects were observed in AID for Pro (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the protein content of corn-soybean meal diets evaluated in the current study affected SID of most indispensable and dispensable AA, excluding Lys, Met, and Pro.     

Ideal amino acid profile and dietary lysine specification for broiler chickens of 20 to 40 days of age.

1. The aim of the study was to determine the ideal ratio of the essential amino acids lysine (Lys), methionine (Met), threonine (Thr), tryptophan (Trp), arginine (Arg), valine (Val) and isoleucine (Ile) and to assess the required dietary lysine concentration for optimum performance in broiler chickens of 2 commercial strains from 20 to 40 d of age. 2. An identical basal diet was used throughout all experiments. It consisted mainly of maize and soyabean meal and contained 172 g crude protein and 13.2 MJ AME(N) per kg. For each experiment, the basal diet was adequately supplemented with all essential amino acids except the one to be tested, which was supplemented in 6 graded concentrations in exchange for maize starch. One (Met, Trp, Arg, Val, Ile) or 2 (Lys, Thr) growth trials were conducted per amino acid tested and the response in weight gain, food: gain ratio, breast meat yield and abdominal fat were examined. 3. The ideal amino acid ratio relative to Lys (expressed as a percentage) was calculated to be 75% Met+Cys, 63% Thr, 19% Trp, 112% Arg, 71% Ile and 81% Val on a true faecal digestible basis when the data were subjected to broken-line regression analysis. From both lysine studies the concentration for optimum food: gain ratio was calculated, by exponential regression analysis, to be 11.5 g true faecal digestible lys per kg diet.     

苏氨酸的营养免疫作用及畜禽对其需要量的研究

苏氨酸作为畜禽的第二或第三限制性氨基酸,对机体有重要的营养免疫作用,在日粮氨基酸的平衡中也起重要作用。不同生长阶段的畜禽对苏氨酸的需要量不同。此外,其它一些氨基酸如赖氨酸、蛋氨酸、色氨酸、甘氨酸等均对苏氨酸的需要量有影响。     

Dynamics of amino acid and protein metabolism in laying hens after the administration of 15N-labeled wheat protein. 10. 15N-labeling of crude protein and amino acids of the oviducts

Over a period of 4 days 12 colostomized laying hens daily received 36 g coarse wheat meal containing 14.37 atom-% 15N excess (15N') together with a conventional ration. After the homogenisation of each oviduct N and 15N' were determined. After the precipitation with TCA the 15N' of the amino acids was analysed in both the precipitate and the supernatant. In addition, the free amino acids and the peptides were determined in the TCA soluble fraction. The atom-% 15N' in the total N and in the non-basic amino acid N showed a parallel decrease; it diminished from 1.75 atom-% 15N' to 0.64. Of the three basic amino acids, lysine shows the lowest labelling at all four measuring points. The quotas of non-basic amino acid 14N and 15N' in the total 14N and 15N' of the oviduct are the same and amount to 53%. In contrast to this, the quota of the 14N of the basic amino acids in the total 14N of the oviduct only amounts to 21.6% and that of 15N' only to 15.4%. The average atom-% 15N' of the free amino acids 12 h after the last 15N application is 1.54 and is considerably above that of the peptides with 1.15 atom-% 15N'. 36 h after the last 15N application the ascertained value of 1.25 is identical in both fractions. The labelling of the free amino acids decreases more quickly than that of the peptides the more time has passed after the last 15N application.     

Effects of rumen-protected methionine and lysine on ruminant performance and nutrient metabolism

Four trials were conducted to determine the effects of supplemental rumen-protected methionine (RPMet) and lysine (RPLys) on lamb N metabolism and steer feedlot performance. In trial 1, 20 Suffolk-sired, crossbred lambs (avg weight 32 kg) were fed diets containing no supplemental methionine (Met) and lysine (Lys), .03% RPMet, .05% RPLys or .03% RPMet + .05% RPLys. Lambs fed .03% RPMet + .05% RPLys had a 33% increase in N retention compared with lambs fed no supplemental Met and Lys. In trial 2, to verify the protection and availability of these amino acids, five Targhee lambs (avg weight 35 kg) were fed corn-soybran flake diets supplemented with urea and were assigned in a 5 X 5 Latin square to one of the following treatments: 1) control; 2) .03% RPMet + .05% RPLys offered in the diet; 3) .03% RPMet + .05% RPLys abomassally infused; 4) .03% non-protected Met + .05% non-protected Lys offered in the diet and 5) .03% Met + .05% Lys abomasally infused. Treatments 2, 3 and 5 decreased (P less than .05) urinary N (g/d) and increased N retention (P less than .05) compared with the control diet (treatment 1). Increases (P less than .05) in plasma Met and Lys concentrations indicated that the amino acids were protected and available for animals at the site of absorption. In trial 3, 40 crossbred Angus steers (avg weight 247 kg) were fed diets composed of 53% corn silage and 47% concentrate and supplemented with soybean meal to 11.3% crude protein. Steers that were fed diets containing .19% RPMet + .11% RPLys had greater daily gain (P less than .05) than those fed diets containing no supplemental amino acids, .11% RPMet + .01% RPLys, and .15% RPMet + .06% RPLys (1.39 vs 1.23, 1.22 and 1.20 kg/d, respectively). Similar improvements in feed conversion resulted and increases in plasma Met concentrations followed the same trend. In trial 4, 40 crossbred Angus steers (avg weight 368 kg) were fed corn grain-corn silage diets supplemented with urea. Treatments were: no supplemental amino acids; .05% RPMet + .01% RPLys; .10% RPMet + .04% RPLys; and .15% RPMet + .07% RPLys. No differences in steer performance resulted due to supplemental RPMet and RPLys (P greater than .05). The results of these trials suggest that the RPMet and RPLys used in this study are protected from ruminal degradation, are available post-ruminally and can improve lamb N balance and growing steer performance.     

Dynamics of amino acid and protein metabolism in laying hens after the administration of 15N-labeled wheat protein. 2. 15N excretion with nitrogen and basic amino acids of the feces

Over 4 days 12 colostomized laying hens received together with a commercial ration labelled wheat with a 15N excess (15N') of 14.37 atom-%. The labelling of the basic amino acids amounted to 13.58 atom-% for lysine, to 14.38 atom-% for histidine and to 13.63 atom-% 15N' for arginine. 3 animals each were butchered 12 h, 36 h, 60 h and 108 h resp. after the last application of 15N. The heavy nitrogen in the total N and in the N fraction of non-protein origin as well as in the basic amino acids in faeces was daily determined for the individual hens in the total experimental period. On average the crude protein of faeces contained 5.45 % lysine, 2.32% histidine histidine and 3.68% arginine: the protein of faeces correspondingly contained 5.43% lysine, 2.32% histidine and 4.07% arginine. The quota of TCA soluble N in the total N of faeces amounts to one third on the 3rd und 4th days of the experiment and that of 15N' to 28%. The average atom-% 15N' of the protein fraction is 3.48 atom-% 15N' and that of the non-protein N fraction of faeces 2.93 atom-% 15N'. The apparent digestibility and that of the non-protein N fraction of faeces 2.93 atom-% 15N'. The apparent digestibility of the 14N of the ration on average amounts to 82.8% and that of the wheat 15N' to 87.5%. The average quota of the basic amino acids in the protein compounds of faeces amounts to 70.9% for lysine 15N', 73.7% for histidine 15N' and 70.3% for arginine 15N'. The digestibility of the 15N labelled amino acids amounts to 80.4% for lysine, 90.8% for histidine and 90.2% for arginine.     

Catheterization of Arteria Epigastrica Cranialis,Measurement of Nutrient Arteriovenous Differences and Evaluation of Daily Plasma Flow Across the Mammary Gland of Lactating Sows

The objectives of the present study were: (i) to evaluate a novel procedure for catheterization of the mammary artery; (ii) to measure amino acid, glucose and calcium arteriovenous differences in lactating sows; and (iii) to evaluate the use of different markers in estimating mammary plasma flow by the Fick principle. Five multiparous sows were fitted with two catheters, in the cranial epigastric artery and anterior mammary vein. Catheterization of the cranial epigastric artery was carried out with a new surgical technique. Implanted catheters remained functional until day 15 (in two animals), day 21 (one animal) and day 27 (one animal), whereas in one case this technique failed. Sampling of arterial and venous blood took place on days 9, 15, 21 and 27 of lactation. Mean extraction rates - SEM (percent) were 31.2 - 3.1 arginine (Arg), 16.4 - 2.5 glutamine (Gln), 27.2 - 5.7 threonine (Thr), 8.3 - 2.6 glycine (Gly), 12.4 - 2.7 alanine (Ala), 20.2 - 3.4 tyrosine (Tyr), 18.1 - 2.8 proline (Pro), 28.2 - 6.2 methionine (Met), 18.5 - 2.2 valine (Val), 26.4 - 3.1 phenylalanine (Phe), 30.2 - 3.1 isoleucine (Ile), 41.4 - 3.4 leucine (Leu), 32.2 - 4.0 lysine (Lys) and 20.0 - 2.76 glucose. There was a relatively high abundance of lysine in milk compared with the amount extracted from plasma. This suggests lysine to be limiting in the present experimental situation, which was probably due to a low feed intake only providing 31.4 g Lys day -1 on average. Mean mammary plasma flow (litres plasma day -1 ), evaluated by use of Lys, Met and calcium as markers in the metabolic Fick principle, amounted to 7869 - 989 Lys, 6391 - 2139 Met and 4059 - 747 calcium. The large difference in the results implies that there is a need for other markers to measure the mammary plasma flow or novel methods based on other principles to measure mammary plasma flow, which is an important factor in quantitative studies of daily mammary uptake of nutrients.     

Effect of glycine and vitamin supplementation on sulphur amino acid utilization by growing cattle

Effects of glycine (Gly) and B-vitamins on sulphur amino acid (AA) utilization were studied in growing steers maintained under conditions where methionine (Met) was first limiting. Conditions were generated by limit feeding a diet low in ruminally non-degraded protein and abomasally infusing an AA mixture limiting in Met. Retained N tended (p = 0.07) to improve when steers received 10 mg folate, 10 mg vitamin B6, and 0.10 mg vitamin B12 daily. Hepatic vitamin B12 (p = 0.08) and folate (p = 0.05) concentrations increased with vitamin supplementation. In another trial, factorial treatments were 2 or 5 g/day L-Met and 0 or 50 g/day Gly infused abomasally. Retained N increased (p < 0.05) in response to Met, and responses were numerically larger in the presence of supplemental Gly. In a different trial, factorial treatments were 0 or 2.4 g/day L-cysteine (Cys) and 0 or 40 g/day Gly. Retained N was not affected by Cys in the absence of Gly, but was increased by Cys when Gly was supplemented (interaction, p = 0.01). B-vitamin status may affect sparing of Met by Cys. Supplemental Gly improved responses to supplemental Met and Cys.     

Utilization of 15N-labeled urea in laying hens. 7. 15N-incorporation into the amino acids of different muscle types

3 colostomized laying hybrids received 1% 15N labelled urea with 96.06 atom-% 15N excess (15N') with a commercial ration over a period of 6 days. After the application of the same ration with unlabelled urea on the following 2 days the animals were butchered. In the muscles of the breast, the leg and the heart, the labelling of total nitrogen and the incorporation of urea 15N' into 15 amino acids of the 3 different kinds of muscles were ascertained. On average, significant differences could be ascertained between the atom-% 15N of the muscles of the skeleton and those of the heart. The 15N' of the breast and leg muscles was 0.25 and 0.34 atom-% resp.; that of the cardial proteins 0.71 atom-% 15N'. The incorporation of urea 15N into the basic amino acids is low and varies both between the kinds of muscles and between the amino acids. On average the highest level of labelling was found among the essential amino acids valine, isoleucine and leucine; the average atom-% 15N' for the muscles of the breast is 0.13, of the leg 0.17, and of the heart 0.27; the 15N' quota of branched chain amino acids in the total 15N' of the respective muscle is accordingly 6.0%, 5.0% and 4.5%. The non-essential amino acids, particularly glutamic acid, are more highly labelled in the muscles than the essential ones. A 15N' for glutamic acid of 0.24 atom-% in the breast muscles, of 0.27 atom-% in those of the legs and of 0.64 atom-% in the heart muscle could be detected. The average quota of the 15N' of these acid amino acids in the 15N' for breast, leg and heart muscles is 7.4, 6.2 and 6.7 resp. The quota of the 15N' in the 6 non-essential amino acids in the total 15N' in all 3 kinds of muscles is approximately two thirds and in the 9 essential ones one third of the total 15N'. Although the results show that there is a certain incorporation of 15N' from urea into the amino acids of the muscle proteins, their contribution to meeting the demands is to be considered irrelevant.     

Absorption and utilization of amino acids infused into the cecum of growing pigs. 2. 15N-labeled lysine

Over a period of 4 days 15N-labelled lysine was infused into two growing female pigs (live weight approximately 50 kg) through a caecal cannula. The feeding was restrictive (1,400 g dry matter/day) and, with regard to lysine, it didn't meet the requirement. In a 7-day experiment the N- and 15N-content was measured periodically in the excretions (feces and urine), in various fractions of the blood and in selected slaughtering samples. From the infused 15N 3-5% are excreted as lysine in feces, another 5% are in other amino acids of the bacteria protein. The disappearance rate of 15N' from the large intestine makes greater than or equal to 90%. The biggest part of this 15N (78-88%) is excreted with the urine in form of 15N-urea. Obviously the infused amino acid is decomposed to NH3 in the large intestine and then absorbed. The absorbed ammonia is changed into urea in the ornithine cycle and excreted in urine. The recovery rate of the 15N infused as 15N-lysine is 93 and 84% resp. Incorporation of 15N in to serum protein or other body protein could not be detected so that the remaining difference of 7-16% cannot necessarily be interpreted as incorporation rate of 15N into the body protein. Under practical conditions the maximal utilisation of lysine from the feed in the large intestine is 1.6% and should thus be without importance.     

Studies using labeled urea on lactating ruminants. 4. Incorporation of 15N-urea into the basic amino acids of goat milk]

Goats were used in a trial to investigate the rate of 15N incorporation from labelled urea into the basic amino acids of the milk (excess of 15N = 24.9 atom%). As early as 20 minutes after administration of the first dose of 15N urea nitrogen labelling in arginine and lysine was observed. The highest level of 15N labelling was noticed for lysine and arginine 24 hrs after start of the trial. The peak values of labelling for histidine were essentially lower. Reference is made to peculiarities of the ruminal metabolism of histidine.