The Influence of Creatine Biosynthesis on the Arginine Requirement of the Chick

Abstract

During the first 4 weeks of life, creatine biosynthesis is an important factor in the arginine metabolism of the chick. The arginine requirement for growth and efficiency during the first three weeks of life is greater than 1.3%, possibly as high as 1.9%. Before maximum values are reached, both growth and feed efficiency exhibit a unique plateau to increasing arginine supplementation. The chick continues to divert arginine for creatine synthesis despite high muscle creatine levels produced by dietary creatine; consequently, there is little sparing of arginine by supplemental creatine.