Effect of Dietary Protein Level on Plasma and Tissue Free Amino Acid Concentrations in Nursing Lambs2

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Abstract
Nursing lambs bottle fed a 12% protein milk replacer lost weight, consumed less (P < .005) feed and had markedly lower plasma and tissue (muscle and liver) amino acid concentrations than the lambs receiving the 24 or 35% protein milk replacers. Feed intakes and weight gains were similar for lambs fed 24 or 35% protein milk replacers. As dietary protein intake increased, the concentration of essential amino acids rose in plasma and tissue pools, while nonessential amino acids stayed constant. The lambs fed the 12 and 35% protein milk replacer had higher (P < .01) plasma urea than the 24% protein group. In all lambs, plasma amino acid levels were higher 2 hr after than before feeding. Dietary protein intake did not affect plasma glucose levels. Copyright © 1975. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1975 by American Society of Animal Science.