J.L. Evans

Protein reserves of ruminant animals: Nt‐methylhistidine as an index of myofibrillar protein turnover

Data on protein reserves in ruminant animals are limited. Protein reserves are utilized by high‐producing lactating dairy cattle during early lactation. Protein turnover within the body of an animal provides a mechanism for continuous redistribution of amino acids. Nitrogen balance studies have been used by researchers to investigate nitrogen utilization and protein reserves in ruminant animals. This method provides no information on where nitrogen is stored within the body or from which tissues nitrogen is mobilized. Urinary excretion of NT‐methylhistidine appears to be a measure of myofibrillaf protein turnover, particularly in rats and humans. It has not been demonstrated that this method can be used as an index of myofibrillar protein turnover in ruminant animals.