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Simulation of the Energy Costs Associated with Protein Turnover and Na⁺,K⁺-Transport in Growing Lambs^1,2,

Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada

A mathematical representation of the energy-requiring processes of protein turnover and Na⁺,K⁺-transport in the tissues of growing lambs is described. This model was then used to examine the relative contributions of these processes to ATP expenditure at two different growth rates (90–230 g/d). Protein turnover accounted for 19% of whole-body ATP expenditure at both growth rates examined, with the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) accounting for 25–27%, muscle for 21–26%, skin for 23–26% and liver for 13% of total protein turnover energy costs. The contribution of Na⁺,K⁺-transport increased from 18 to 23% of whole-body heat production as growth rate increased, with the GIT accounting for 39 and 50%, muscle for 17 and 10% and liver for 18 and 23% of total Na⁺,K⁺-transport costs at low and high nutrient inputs, respectively. Thus, protein turnover accounted for 19% of the increment in ATP expenditure due to the increased nutrient input at the higher rate of growth, while Na⁺,K⁺-transport accounted for 39%, and fat turnover and accretion accounted for 25%, leaving 17% of the ATP increment unaccounted for.

KEY WORDS: • growth • ruminants • protein turnover • ion transport • computer simulation • mathematical model • lambs

¹ J.F. was in receipt of a research award from, and part of the operating costs were provided by, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, while M.G. received a travel grant from the Stapledon Memorial Trust. Both were on study leave from the Institute of Grassland and Animal Production.

² Presented in part as a short communication at a meeting of the Nutrition Society, 16–17 July 1987, Cambridge, England (Proc. Nutr. Soc. 47: 56A, 1988).

³ Present address: The AFRC Institute for Grassland and Animal Production, Hurley, Maidenhead, Berks. SL6 5LR, United Kingdom.

Manuscript received 8 July 1988. Revision accepted 13 April 1989.