Utilization of nitrogen from selected purines and pyrimidines and from urea by the young chick
Baker, D.H.; Molitoris, B.A.
Journal of Nutrition 104(5): 553-557
1974
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-3166 PMID: 4823941 Document Number: 75174
Young chicks were fed on crystalline amino acid diets made first-limiting in nonessential N (glutamic acid). Addition of 3% L-glutamic acid to the diet doubled growth rate. Urea supplementation stimulated growth, even in the presence of a high dietary content of chlortetracycline. Adenine in amounts below 0.60% stimulated weight gain and protein retention. Growth was depressed by adenine present in amounts greater than 0.80%, but chlortetracycline slightly corrected this effect. Uracil appeared to be a good source of N for synthesis of nonessential amino acids but neither xanthine nor uric acid elicited a response when added to the N-deficient diet.