Ornithine (Orn; α-ketoglutarate (αKG) salt) and arginine (Arg) supplementation of enteral diets has been advocated in the treatment of hypercatabolism of trauma patients, but both compounds are subject to extensive hepatic metabolism. To compare the metabolism of these two compounds and to evaluate the possible influence of the αKG moiety, livers were perfused with αKG, Orn, ornithine α-ketoglutarate (OKG) or Arg (n 6 in each group) for 1 h. Arg uptake was nearly fourfold higher than Orn uptake (690 (SD 162) ν. 178 (SD 30) nmol/min per g liver), and Orn uptake was not modified by αKG. Orn was totally metabolized by the liver, whereas Arg led to Orn release (408 (SD 159) nmol/min per g liver) and a threefold stimulation of urea production (Arg 1·44 (SD 0·22) ν. Orn 0·45 (SD 0.09) μol/min per g liver). αKG alone only increased hepatic aspartate uptake but, when associated with Orn as OKG, it led to an increase in giutamate release and in proiine content in the liver and to a decrease in proiine uptake. From these findings we conclude that (1) Arg load is extensively metabolized by the liver, inducing urea production, (2) in enteral use, Orn supplementation appears preferable to Arg as it is less ureogenic (as also recently demonstrated in vivo in stressed rats receiving isomolar amounts of Arg and Orn), (3) the liver participates in the Orn-αKG metabolic interaction, mostly in proiine metabolism, which occurs in the splanchnic area.

It has been hypothesized that marine n-3 fatty acids ingested during pregnancy prolong duration of pregnancy and increase fetal growth rate in humans. By a combined self-administered questionnaire and interview applied in the 30th week of gestation we assessed dietary intake of marine n-3 fatty acids and energy in a population-based sample of 965 pregnant Danish women; in a random 14% subsample we also measured marine n-3 fatty acids relative to arachidonic acid (FA-ratio) in erythrocytes. Mean intake of marine n-3 fatty acids was 0·25 (95% range 0–0·75) g/d. We could detect no association between n-3 fatty acid intake and FA-ratio on the one hand, and gestation length, birth weight and birth length on the other. The analyses were adjusted for maternal height, prepregnant weight, parity and smoking. The conclusion from the study was that within the intake range of this population, marine n-3 fatty acids ingested in the weeks prior to the 30th week of pregnancy seem not to be a predictor of gestation length or fetal growth rate.

The long-chain polyene (LCP) status of thirty-nine premature infants (birth weight < 1800 g) was evaluated. Twenty-seven infants were fed on an artificial formula, twelve received their own mother's breast milk. Fatty acid compositions of both plasma and erythrocyte (RBC) phospholipids (PL) were determined in umbilical venous blood and in weekly postnatal blood samples until the 28th day of life. Individual fatty acid levels were expressed as absolute quantities (mg fatty acid/I plasma or RBC suspension) and as relative (mg/100 mg total fatty acids) values. The changes with time in the absolute values for 22:6n-3 and 20:4n-6 in plasma were strikingly different from those of the relative values for these fatty acids. In plasma PL the inter-group differences in the absolute postnatal values for 22:6n-3 (P < 0·0005) and 20:4n-6 (P < 0·05) and the relative values for 22:6n-3 (P < 0·02) were significant, with lower fatty acid values in the formula-fed infants. In RBC PL, no significant inter-group differences in the postnatal 22: 6n-3 and 20: 4n-6 values were found. Based on the assumption that it is desirable for formula-fed infants to achieve postnatal plasma LCP values at least comparable with those found in infants fed on human milk, the findings of the present study indicate that both n-3 and n-6 LCP should be added to preterm infant formulas. Moreover, the additional importance of absolute fatty acid levels was demonstrated, although analytical procedures need to be standardized to enable effective comparison of results from different research groups.

Lipid-Zn interaction in the testes of mice was studied by feeding them low-fat (30 g maize oil/kg; group LFZD) and high-fat (90 g maize oil/kg; group HFZD) Zn-deficient diets for 6 weeks. The results were compared with those of corresponding Zn-supplemented-diet-fed controls (groups LFZS and HFZS). The integument-related Zn-deficiency symptoms appeared in group HFZD and not in group LFZD mice despite lack of Zn in their ration and an equal level of Zn in their blood serum. The feed intake, gain in body weight and testes weight of the LFZD group were comparable with those of the LFZS and HFZS groups (P < 0·05) but were higher than those of the group HFZD (P <·05). The testes of group HFZD displayed necrotic changes marked by the presence of giant cells, lower RNA, DNA and protein concentrations and higher phospholipid and cholesterol levels than those of mice in the LFZD group. The concentrations of these fractions were not significantly different between LFZD and HFZS. The results do not support the hypothesis that Zn is essential either for testicular function or for nucleic acid and protein synthesis in animals fed on a low-fat diet; however, it appears to be essential for animals fed on a high-fat diet. The changes observed in the testes of the HFZD animais suggest the excess intake of fat as their cause in Zn-deficient animals.

The mechanism underlying the reduced Cu status in rats fed on a high-Sn diet was investigated. Male rats aged 4 weeks were fed ad lib. on purified diets containing either 1 or 100 mg Sn/kg and demineralized water for a period of 4 weeks. The high-Sn diet had no effect on feed intake, body-weight gain or weight of liver and kidney but significantly reduced Cu concentrations in plasma, liver and kidney. Biliary Cu excretion was decreased significantly in rats fed on the high-Sn diet. Apparent Cu absorption (Cu intake−faecal Cu) was not affected by the high-Sn diet, but the estimate of true Cu absorption (Cu intake−(faecal Cu−biliary Cu)) was significantly reduced. We conclude that high Sn intake reduces Cu status in rats through inhibition of Cu absorption. The decreased biliary Cu excretion observed on the high-Sn diet is a result of the reduced Cu absorption.

The present study was carried out to compare the effects of four isoenergetic and isonitrogenous diets on the N utilization, total serum protein concentration and serum amino acid profile in starved rats at weaning. These diets differed only in the molecular form of two milk proteins (whey protein and casein), which were either native or partly hydrolysed. Male Wistar rats at weaning were fasted for 3 d and then refed with one of the four diets for 48 h. No differences were observed in the body weight gain, protein digestibility and total serum protein concentration between groups after the refeeding period and all the N balances were positive. N retention was higher in the two groups of rats given the protein-hydrolysate-based diets compared with those given the intact-protein-based diets. This was associated with a lower urinary N excretion in rats, given the whey-protein-hydrolysate and the casein-hydrolysate diets. Despite this fact, the serum amino acid pattern of rats given the hydrolysed protein diet was very similar to that of those given the corresponding native protein diet. In conclusion, we have proved that enzymic hydrolysates from milk proteins have equivalent effects to native proteins in recovery after starvation in rats at weaning, on N absorption, total serum protein concentration and serum amino acid profile, and even give a higher N retention. We did not observe any harmful effect in using protein hydrolysates instead of native proteins.

Bovine and human k-caseinoglycopeptides, two antithrombotic peptides derived from the corresponding k-caseins, were detected in physiologically active concentrations in the plasma of 5-d-old newborn infants after ingestion of cow's-milk-based formula or human milk respectively. It is suggested that these two bioactive peptides are released from milk proteins during digestion.

Increased intake of dietary fibres is associated with several beneficial effects on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. The colonic fermentation of dietary fibres produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFA; acetate, propionate and butyrate). Some authors have suggested that SCFA could be partly responsible for the effects of dietary fibres. The purpose of the present study was to test the effects of one of the SCFA, propionate. The effects of moderate amounts of dietary propionate on insulin sensitivity and hepatic glucose production were studied in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Two groups of twenty-one adult rats were fed for 3 weeks on a diet containing 78 g propionate/kg (P) or 78 g/kg of a poorly fermentable cellulose (control group; C). Feed intake, body weight, fasting plasma glucose, insulin, free fatty acids, alanine, lactate, glycerol and β-hydroxybutyrate levels were measured weekly in anaesthetized rats. At the end of the feeding period basal hepatic glucose production (BHGP) was measured with a primed continuous infusion of [3−3H]glucose and the in vivo insulin sensitivity in rats was quantified by the euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp technique (0.6 and 2 U/kg per h). At that time fasting plasma glucose measured in anaesthetized rats was significantly lower in group P than in group C: 7·7 (SE 0·2) v. 8.5 (SE 0·2) mmol/l respectively (P < 0·002); plasma insulin levels were not significantly different. Neither the BHGP (mg/min per kg; C 14·8 (SE 1·3), P 15·1 (SE 1·3); n 7, not significant) nor the basal metabolic clearance (ml/min per kg; 8·9 (SE 08) v. 9·9 (SE 1·1); not significant) were different between treatments. Hepatic glucose production and glucose utilization at the two insulin concentrations (approximately 500 and 1500 mU/l respectively, n 7) did not differ significantly between the two groups. These results show that dietary propionate chronically ingested by normal rats could decrease fasting glycaemia, but from our findings, no effect on hepatic glucose production and whole-body glucose utilization could be clearly demonstrated.

The present study describes the effect of replacement of digestible starch by resistant starch (RS) on diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT), postprandial glucose and insulin responses, and colonic fermentation. Ten healthy males consumed three test meals, consisting of diluted, artificially-sweetened fruit syrup and either 50 g raw potato starch (550 g RS/kg), or 50 g pregelatinized potato starch (0 g RS/kg) or 30 g pregelatinized potato starch plus 20 g lactulose (670 g indigestible disaccharide/kg). The meals were served in the morning after an overnight fast. Each volunteer consumed each meal twice on six separate days in random order. Metabolic rate was measured by indirect calorimetry in the fasting state for 15 min and postprandially for 5 h. Shortly before and hourly up to 7 h after consumption of the test meal, end-expiratory breath samples were obtained for H2 and CH4 analysis. Shortly before the meal and 30, 60, 180, and 300 min postprandiaily, blood samples were taken for glucose and insulin analyses. Postprandial increases in glucose and insulin levels were proportional to the amount of digestible carbohydrate in the meal. Breath H2 and CH4 concentrations indicated that the pregelatinized starch was not fermented and that lactulose was fermented rapidly. Fermentation of the raw starch started only 6 to 7 h after consumption, resulting in a rise in breath H2 but not in CH4. The replacement of 27 g digestible starch by RS in a single meal lowered DIT by on average 90 kJ/5 h, as could also be calculated by assuming that RS does not contribute to DIT. The ingestion of lactulose resulted in a substantial rise in DIT which was most probably caused by its fermentation.

Indian River male broiler chickens (7-d-old) were fed on diets containing 120, 210 or 300 g crude protein/kg + 0 or 1 mg triiodothyronine (T3)/kg diet (Expt 1) and 120, 150, 180 or 210 g crude protein/kg +0 or 1 mg T3/kg diet (Expt 2) to determine the effects of crude protein level and T3 on growth and metabolism. Body composition of chickens was determined by a combination of dissection of muscle and abdominal fat pads, and chemical extraction (Expt 1). In vitro lipogenesis (IVL) was determined in both experiments by incubating liver explants for 2 h at 37° in the presence of 10-4 M-dibutyryl cyclic AMP (cAMP) or 10-5 M isoproterenol (ISO) and 10-2 M-[2-14C]acetate. Acetate incorporation into total lipid was an indication of IVL. Activity ratios for each of these additions relative to control (?cAMP?ISO) were calculated to ascertain basal ν. inhibited rates of IVL. The relative muscle mass was increased by increasing crude protein from 120 to 210 g/kg diet but not from 210 to 300 g/kg diet. Dietary T3 decreased total body lipid regardless of the dietary crude-protein level. Increasing dietary crude protein decreased (P<0.05) basal IVL (?cAMP? ISO) but not IVL (+ cAMP). Dietary T3 decreased basal IVL in birds fed on the diets containing 120 and 210 g crude protein/kg but had little effect on the two inhibited states of lipogenesis (+ cAMP or +ISO). The component of lipogenesis sensitive to in vitro inhibition is also the component under dietary control.

The effect of dietary supplementation with ascorbic acid or cholecalciferol on Fe utilization was studied using the metabolic balance technique, in rats in which 50% of the distal small intestine was removed, or in which the mid small intestine was transected and reanastomosed (controls). Three different diets were used. The first (basal diet) contained (g/kg dry wt): protein (casein+50 mg D, L-methionine/g) 120 and fat (medium-chain triacylglycerols, olive oil and sunflower oil, in equal parts) 40. The other diets were obtained by adding ascorbic acid (150 mg/kg diet) or cholecalciferol (0·4 mg/kg diet) to the basal diet. Apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) and Fe retention were significantly lower in resected animals than in their respective control groups (transected rats). However, the addition of ascorbic acid or cholecalciferol to the basal diet increased the ADC and Fe retention in both transected and resected rats. Five weeks after surgery, resection also resulted in a reduced concentration of Fe in the sternum, but did not reduce the concentration of haemoglobin or serum Fe total Fe-binding capacity or the concentration of Fe in liver, testes, femur or muscle (longissimus dorsi). Supplementation with ascorbic acid increased serum Fe concentration, while the concentration of Fe in muscle was reduced by supplementation with both ascorbic acid and cholecalciferol. Neither supplementation had any effect on the Fe concentration in other tissues, on haemoglobin concentration or plasma total Fe-binding capacity. Thus, supplementation with ascorbic acid or with cholecalciferol increased Fe absorption and reduced the concentration of Fe in muscle.

The aim of the present study was to compare the nutritive value of bacterial single-cell protein (BSCP) with that of fishmeal in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)). Four diets were formulated to contain a total of 458 g crude protein/kg of which 0% was from BSCP in diet 1 (BSCP-0), 25% in diet 2 (BSCP-25), 62·5% in diet 3 (BSCP-62·5) and 100% in diet 4 (BSCP-100); the remainder of the protein was from fishmeal. There were two studies: in study 1, duplicate groups of twenty-five fish were fed on one of the four experimental diets at the rate of 20 g/kg body weight per d for 132 d. Feed consumption rates of individual fish were measured using radiography and the overall apparent absorption efficiency for N in each group was measured over a 2-week period. In study 2, N intake, consumption, absorption and accretion were measured for each fish under controlled environmental conditions (12 h:12 h light-dark regime; 14°). Higher dietary levels of BSCP resulted in significantly higher feed consumption rates but reduced N absorption efficiency and growth rates. However, a diet containing 25% BSCP (75% fishmeal) did not significantly influence growth rates, feed consumption and absorption efficiency compared with a 100% fishmeal diet. The N growth efficiencies were highest in fish fed on the diet containing the highest level of fishmeal and significantly decreased with increasing BSCP content. Construction of N budgets demonstrated that the reduction in growth in fish eating an increasingly larger proportion of BSCP was due to a decrease in N absorption and an increase in the excretion of urea.

During pregnancy a higher amino acid requirement may be expected, but the increase in food intake does not match the increased growth rate during pregnancy. It is hypothesized that amino acid utilization can be increased during both fasting and feeding in order to account for the increased requirement. Therefore mature female rats (20 weeks old) were investigated before and at day 18 of pregnancy. Rats were fed on a high-protein (HP) diet (210 g casein/kg diet) for 3 weeks and fasted overnight Rats were then subjected to an 8 h constant infusion of L-[1-14C]leucine with continuous measurement of expired 14CO2 (as a percentage of the infused dose). After 3 h infusion a 5 g HP or low-protein (LP;75 g casein/kg diet) meal was offered for 30 min. Pregnant rats had a significantly lower percentage leucine oxidation in the fasted state (12·5 (SE 0·7) ν. 15·9 (SE 1·1); P < 0·05), which suggests improved reutilization of leucine. Meal ingestion resulted in a fast increase in 14CO2 expiration. After the LP meal the level of 14CO2 expiration decreased again after the acute response (0–1·5 h), but this was not the case after the HP meal. After the HP meal (average 1·5–5 h), no difference was observed between pregnant and non-pregnant status (36·8 (SE 1·6) ν. 35·0 (SE 2·5)). After the LP meal (average 1·5–5 h), however, the percentage leucine oxidation tended to be lower in pregnant rats but this difference did not reach statistical significance (19·7 (SE 1·1) ν. 25·8 (SE 2·8)). In conclusion, pregnancy improved leucine utilization in the fasted state, and tended to improve it after marginal protein feeding.

We questioned whether a dietary fibre supplement known to lower fasting plasma cholesterol concentrations can also lower the postprandial plasma cholesterol, glucose and insulin concentrations when it is administered just before a meal. Two studies were conducted in healthy middle-aged volunteers of both sexes in whom the fasting plasma total cholesterol concentrations were above normal. In the first study the dietary fibre treatments (2.2 g) were psyllium and a psyllium-citrus pectin mixture to which the subjects (four males, eight females) had no prior exposure. Controls received no supplement. The meals were high-fat breakfasts and lunches. In the second study the dietary fibre (6 g) was from sugar-beet root and the reference control was α-cellulose (2 g); the meal was of glucose. The volunteers (eight males, eight females) had prior exposure to the fibre supplements three times daily for 3 weeks. After adjustments for fasting values and changes in haemodilution, the psyllium and psyllium-citrus pectin mixture in the first experiment had no significant effects on the postprandial measurements of plasma glucose, insulin: glucose ratio, total-, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol, and triacylglycerol. By contrast, the sugar-beet fibre in the second study significantly decreased the area under the glucose response curve by 6·9%, the area under the insulin response curve was lower by 9·6%, although not significantly, and the post-glucose meal HDL-cholesterol concentration was significantly (12%) higher. Additionally, the 3-week treatment with sugar-beet fibre significantly lowered the fasting total- and LDL-cholesterol concentrations, by 8·5% and 9·6% respectively. We conclude that low doses of psyllium and citrus pectin at breakfast and lunch have no effects on the postprandial plasma measurements, but that sugar-beet fibre taken daily for 3 weeks affects both fasting and postprandial plasma metabolites favourably in these individuals with mildly increased risk of ischaemic heart disease. Further, we observed that small changes in haemodilution occur after meals, as indicated by plasma albumin concentration and packed cell volume. Underemphasis of the dietary fibre effects may occur when postprandial haemodilution is not taken into account.

Vitamin D status of Asian mothers in Cardiff was investigated during early pregnancy and at the time of the birth of their babies, using serum parathyroid hormone (PTH). Median values in Asian (n 32) and Caucasian (n 63) mothers in early pregnancy were 1·56 and 0·81 pmol/1 respectively. PTH levels from a separate sample of nineteen Asian and twenty-five Caucasian mothers at the time of birth were 3·0 and 2·20 pmol/1 respectively. Altogether twelve Asian and two Caucasian women had elevated PTH. All Asian women who had high PTH values also had a very low serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol level (25OHD). All samples were taken from women with no significant medical history and normal obstetric history. These findings suggest that subclinical vitamin D deficiency is still a cause for concern in Asian women. More active measures need to be taken to implement current recommendations to improve their vitamin D intake in pregnancy.

The effects of two different sources of protein: peas (Pisum sativum var. Belinda) and casein on immunocompetence, nutritional utilization and growth performance have been investigated in recently weaned mice. Feeding these animals on a pea diet resulted in an impairment in growth and significant decreases in the weights of liver, muscle, kidneys and femur, while intestine weights increased. No differences in food consumption were observed, but food conversion efficiency (food intake: weight gain) was increased in pea-fed animals compared with those offered the casein diet. Packed cell volume and serum Fe and Zn levels fell significantly after legume-protein intake, and, by contrast, Cu values increased slightly. Serum albumin levels showed a statistically significant reduction in mice fed on the diet containing peas. However, y-globulins and immunoglobulin G titres were markedly increased. The characterization of spleen-cell subsets using monoclonal antibodies revealed a significantly higher percentage of T-lymphocytes in the pea group compared with casein-fed animals, while no changes were observed in the proportions of B-lymphocytes and macrophages. In vitro mitogenic responses to phytohaemagglutinin, concanavalin A and Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide S were slightly, but not significantly, lower in the pea-fed animals. Our results describe, apparently for the first time in mice, some immunological disturbances after peak intake. These results may lead to a better understanding of the possible role of antigenic proteins in gastrointestinal disorders and the poor individual performance after legume intake.

The capacity of intestinal lactase (EC 3.2.1.23) of piglets to hydrolyse lactose in vivo was investigated by measuring the response of blood galactose to doses of lactose, galactose plus glucose and both whole and skimmed milk. Following the administration of oral doses of lactose dissolved in water to piglets from 2 to 18 d of age the adjusted galactose area under the curve (AUC) was between 1·12 and 1·36 arbitrary units, while following a dose of galactose plus glucose dissolved in water it was between 1·56 and 1·98 arbitrary units. Whereas these results suggest that the rate of digestion of lactose appeared to limit the amount of galactose reaching the peripheral blood after a dose of lactose dissolved in water, there was no significant correlation between the capacity of piglets to hydrolyse physiological amounts of lactose and the age of the piglets (2- to 18-d-old piglets; r 0·11). Following oral doses of sow's milk containing either lactose, or galactose plus glucose, the adjusted galactose AUC values were 0·94 and 1·00 arbitrary units respectively, in 10-d-old piglets. Thus, the limitation to the digestion of lactose observed when it was present in water was not evident for lactose in sow's milk. Since there was no significant difference between the adjusted galactose AUC following a dose of whole milk (0·95 arbitrary units) and that following a dose of skimmed milk (1·03 arbitrary units), the presence of fat in sow's milk did not appear to affect the utilization of lactose by the sucking piglets.

Unfavourable effects of trans monounsaturated fatty acid (trans-C18:1) isomers on health variables have been reported. Reports on their actual intake, however, are scarce, because of the absence in many nutrient databases of values for trans-C18:1, and the wide variation in the level of trans fatty acids between different brands of the same product. We therefore examined whether the intake of trans-C18:1 is reflected by trans-C18:1 concentrations in serum triacylglycerols or platelet phospholipids. Thirtyeight men received two diets in random order. During the first experimental period twenty men consumed a Western-type control diet for six weeks, and eighteen men consumed a modified diet in which 70% of the fat was replaced by palm oil. After a wash-out period of 3 weeks, regimens were crossed over (second experimental period). The proportion of total fatty acids from trans-C18:1 in the diet decreased from 4·7 (SEM 0·27) during the control to 2·1 (SEM 0·16) on the modified diet (P < 0·001). Trans-C18:1 in serum triacylglycerols decreased from 3·5 (SEM 0·13) to 2·8 (SEM 0·11)% (P < 0·001), and in platelet phospholipids from 1·0 (SEM 0·06) to 0·7 (SEM 0·4)% (P < 0·001). After the first experimental period trans-C18:1 in the diet correlated with trans-C18:1 in serum triacylglycerols (r 0·41; P = 0·014), and platelet phospholipids (r 0·52; P = 0·001). Also, differences in the intake between the two periods correlated with changes in the proportion of trans-C18:1 in serum triacylglycerols (r 0·56; P= 0·001) and platelet phospholipids (r 0·58; P < 0·001). These results suggest that analyses of blood lipid fractions can be used to estimate the intake, and to monitor changes in the intake, of trans-C18:1.

The effect of dietary octacosanol, a long-chain alcohol, on lipid metabolism was investigated in rats fed on a high-fat diet for 20 d. The addition of octacosanol (10 g/kg diet) to the high-fat diet led to a significant reduction (P < 0·05) in the perirenal adipose tissue weight without decrease of the cell number, suggesting that octacosanol may suppress lipid accumulation in this tissue, whereas no effect was seen in the epididymal adipose tissue weight and in the lipid content in liver. Octacosanol supplementation decreased the serum triacylglycerol concentration, and enhanced the concentration of serum fatty acids, probably through inhibition of hepatic phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (EC 3·1·3·4). Though the activity of hormone-sensitive lipase (EC 3·1·1·3) was not influenced by octacosanol, higher activities of lipoprotein lipase (EC 3·1·1·34) in the perirenal adipose tissue and the total oxidation rate of fatty acid in muscle were observed. Lipid absorption was not affected by the inclusion of octacosanol. Thus, the present results suggest that the dietary incorporation of octacosanol into a high-fat diet affects some aspects of lipid metabolism.

Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of heating field peas (Pisum sativum) on the N balance and urine, serum and plasma composition of growing pigs. In the first experiment, four diets containing raw field peas (cv. Wirrega) or field peas heated to 150° (cv. Wirrega), 165° (cv. Wirrega) or 150° (cv. Dundale) for 15 min respectively were formulated to contain 1·15 g ileal digestible N/MJ digestible energy (DE) and 036 g ileal digestible lysine/MJ DE in a sugar-based diet. Digestibility estimates were based on those for the Dundale cultivar of field peas used in previous experiments. Total urine and faeces collection from eight pigs was conducted over two 7 d collection periods with a 7 d diet change-over period. Serial blood sampling from the external jugular vein was conducted on the final day of each collection period. There was no significant difference (P > 0·05) in the N balance or apparent biological value of the field-pea treatments. Pigs fed on diets containing peas heated to 150° (cv. Wirrega) or 165° (cv. Wirrega) had a significantly lower (P < 0·01) daily output of urea and uric acid in the urine, and depressed serum protein and serum urea concentrations. Plasma lysine concentration and daily urine lysine output were not significantly different (P > 0·05) in pigs fed on heated peas. Protein excretion in the urine of pigs fed on diets containing peas heated to 165° increased 3–7 times (depending on estimation technique) the level observed in pigs fed on diets containing raw peas. A second experiment was conducted to determine the apparent ileal digestibility of N and amino acids in cv. Wirrega field peas. This study revealed that N digestibility (0·44) and lysine digestibility (0·35) in peas heated to 165° were significantly lower than the cv. Dundale estimates (0·57 and 0·62 respectively) used in diet formulations. The depressed serum and urine variables in pigs fed on heated peas were attributed to overestimation of digestibility. The results exemplify the fact that it is not possible to draw general conclusions as to the effects of heat on any particular protein concentrate. Variability in N balance experiments and problems associated with urine analysis are suggested as likely reasons for the current study not reflecting poor utilization of ileal digestible lysine from heat-treated field peas. Despite considerable variation in the results, it is possible that a large proportion of non-utilizable amino acids in heated field peas may be excreted from the pig via the urine in the form of a protein.