Urinary amino acid excretion and plasma amino acid concentration in dogs fed crystalline amino acid diets

Plasma amino acid concentrations and urinary amino acid excretion were exanined in Pointer puppies fed a crystalline amino acid diet. Amino acids accounted for only a small percentage (1.7%) of total urinary nitrogen (N). In addition, amino acid excretion accounted for a low percentage (<1%) of amino acid intake. A complete urinary amino acid profile is presented. Free amino acid concentrations in plasma were examined at 0, 45, 90, 150, 210 and 300 minutes after feeding. Both the amount of time required for an ingested amino acid to reach its highest plasma concentration and the length of time plasma amino acid concentration remained elevated depended upon the amino acid in question. These data provide useful information for determining the optimal postprandial time for bleeding dogs fed a purified diet.