The effects of folate deficiency and oestradiol administration on the plasma free xamino acid concentrations of the immature hen

1. Free amino acid concentrations were measured in the blood plasma of immature pullets receiving a folate-deficient diet and injected with folate and/or oestradiol, with appropriate controls.

2. Folate deficiency caused a decrease and oestradiol administration an increase in the plasma concentration of most of the amino acids studied.

3. Plasma glycine concentration increased in foliate deficiency and decreased with oestradiol treatment.

4. All the observed effects could not be readily explained in terms of the known metabolic role of folate in amino acid metabolism.

5. The results did not indicate that the role of folate in amino acid metabolism was significant in the inhibition of oestradiol-stimulated oviduct growth.

Notes

Present address: Department of Applied Biochemistry and Nutrition, University of Nottingham School of Agriculture, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leics LE12 5RD, England.

To whom requests for reprints should be addressed. Also of the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland.