Self-selection of histidine and arginine intake and the requirements for these amino acids in growing rats.
The regulation of histidine and arginine intake in rats was investigated using the self-selection feeding method. The usefulness of the self-selection feeding technique for the determination of amino acid requirements is also discussed. When weanling rats were offered a choice of two diets differing only in histidine or arginine content for 2 weeks, they chose diets to support maximal growth, with the exception of some groups that did not grow to the maximum level. Histidine and arginine intake of the self-selecting rats ranged from 0.25% to 2.22% and from 0.43% to 2.43% of the diets ingested. These results demonstrate clearly that rats have the ability to consume a minimum amount that satisfies histidine and arginine needs for maximal growth. Previous and the present results suggest that the self-selection feeding method is a useful technique for the determination of amino acid requirements in growing rats.
Yamamoto
Y
Y
Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Shizuoka University, Japan.
Muramatsu
K
K
D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001835:Body Weight; D004032:Diet; D005518:Food Preferences; D006639:Histidine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D006639:Histidine; D001120:Arginine