Nutritional Requirements of the Protein-Depleted Chicken

Abstract

Three groups of growing chickens were depleted to two-thirds of their initial body weight (225 gm) by subjecting them to (a) complete starvation, (b) a N-free diet and (c) a diet supplying 15% of protein as gelatin; after depletion, birds were sampled at 190 and 160 gm; on repletion, animals were sampled at 225 and 325 gm. A group of control birds was sampled at identical weights. Livers were analyzed for moisture, fat, nitrogen, transaminase, cholinesterase, alkaline and acid phosphatase, RNA and DNA. Results were expressed as per unit of liver, nitrogen and DNA, but discussed primarily as per unit of DNA. During depletion and repletion, changes were noted in liver composition (fat, N and moisture) among treatment groups. Enzyme and nucleic acid concentrations also differed with the type of depletion not only during the depletion period but also on refeeding. Liver transaminase and RNA were particularly affected and sensitive to the depletion regimens.