Nitrogen Balance of Young Albino Rats Force-Fed Methionine- or Histidine-Deficient Diets

Abstract

The nitrogen balance of young albino rats was studied under conditions of methionine and of histidine deficiency by a force-feeding technique which assured equal and adequate caloric intake. Under these conditions the amino acid deficiencies resulted in markedly reduced nitrogen balances as a result of increased amounts of urinary nitrogen excretion. If the animals were depleted of protein stores prior to forcefeeding the amino acid-deficient diet, the nitrogen balances decreased beyond the point of equilibrium and became negative.