title: Effects of the source and level of protein fed to Syrian hamsters on growth, protein utilization, and selected blood proteins.
abstract: Syrian hamsters were fed diets formulated with casein, lactalbumin, and casein supplemented with L-methionine and L-cysteine for 3 weeks. Each protein source was fed at 4, 10, 20, and 40 g/100 g diet and supplied 3.4, 9, 17, and 34% protein. A protein-free diet was given to separate groups. Maximal growth rates were obtained at the 10, 20, and 40 g/100 g diet levels, and protein efficiency ratios showed maximal protein utilization with the 10 g/100 g diet level of each protein source. Net protein utilization was influenced by both protein source and level. In both sexes, casein was less well-utilized than either lactalbumin or supplemented casein when the protein sources were fed at the 4 or 10 g/100 g diet levels. Whole blood hemoglobin increased with increasing dietary protein levels, irrespective of protein source. Protein source influenced serum albumin concentrations in female hamsters at the 4 and 10 g/100 g levels and in male hamsters at the 40 g/100 g level. The highest albumin concentrations were observed in females fed 10 g lactalbumin/100 g diet or 20 or 40 g casein/100 g diet. Maximal concentrations of serum alpha one globulin were observed in female hamsters at the 4 or 10 g/100 g diet and in male hamsters at the 0 or 4 g/100 g levels. Serum beta globulins were influenced by protein level. The highest concentrations were observed in the animals fed 10 to 40 g protein source/100 g diet. Serum protein changes were not consistently related to differences in growth or protein utilization.
mesh_terms: D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D002364:Caseins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D006224:Cricetinae / Q000254:growth & development*; D003545:Cysteine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D007768:Lactalbumin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D008715:Methionine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D002364:Caseins; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D006454:Hemoglobins; D007768:Lactalbumin; D008715:Methionine; D003545:Cysteine; D009584:Nitrogen