EFFECT OF DIETARY-PROTEIN LEVELS ON GROWTH-PERFORMANCE, MORTALITY-RATE AND CLINICAL BLOOD PARAMETERS IN MINK (MUSTELA-VISON)

Effects of dietary protein levels ranging from 35% to 15% of metaboliz able energy (ME) and dietary fat levels ranging in a reciprocal fashio n from 47% to 67% of ME, and a constant dietary carbohydrate level of 18% of ME were investigated in male mink kits in the growing-furring p eriod. Growth performance, mortality rate, hepatic fatty infiltration, weights of body and liver, relative weight of liver, haematocrit valu es, plasma activities of alanine-aminotransferase (ALAT), aspartate-am inotransferase (ASAT) and creatine-kinase (CK), and plasma concentrati ons of chemical parameters were studied. A protein supply of 30% of ME supported normal growth performance and ensured a low mortality rate. Plasma ALAT and hepatic fatty infiltration increased with decreasing ME from protein. Alanine-aminotransferase was found to be a useful too l in estimation of the incidence of hepatic fatty infiltration. The ha ematocrit values and the plasma values of total protein, urea, creatin ine and bile acids were influenced by the dietary protein level.