Abstract
Mature male albino rats (ca. 300 g body mass) received 10 diets with a varying lysine content (1.6 to 8.4 g/16 g N). In one partial test the animals were fed ad libitum and in another partial test they were kept in the state of maintenance by limiting the amount of the diet. After 7 feeding days the catabolisation of 14C-lysine into 14CO2 was measured and after 8 feeding days the 15N-excretion in urine after 15N-lysine doses was ascertained. Based on these characteristics typical of metabolism, which show increased catabolisation of the amino acid after the lysine requirement was met, the lysine requirement of a mature rat was determined as 3.5 to 4.0 g/16 g N in the diet. In conclusion, this shows that the lysine requirement in the state of maintenenace and of mature animals is considerably lower than during the period of growth.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have