Effects of the source and level of protein fed to Syrian hamsters on growth, protein utilization, and selected blood proteins.
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.
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
D001798:Blood Proteins; D002364:Caseins; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D006454:Hemoglobins; D007768:Lactalbumin; D008715:Methionine; D003545:Cysteine; D009584:Nitrogen