Ascorbic acid in idiopathic recurrent calcium urolithiasis in humans--does it have an abettor role in oxalate, and calcium oxalate crystallization?

The role of ascorbic acid (ASC) in the pathophysiology of renal calcium stones is not clear. We evaluated ASC in blood and urine of fasting male patients with idiopathic calcium urolithiasis (ICU) and healthy volunteers. Using smaller subgroups, we also evaluated their response to exogenous ASC [either intravenous or oral ASC (5 mg/kg bodyweight)] administered together with an oxalate-free test meal. The influence of ASC on calcium oxalate crystallization, the morphology of crystals at urinary pH 5, 6 and 7, and the effect of increasing duration of urine incubation on urinary oxalate at these pHs, without and with addition of ASC, were studied too. In normo- and hypercalciuric ICU, blood and urinary ASC from fasting patients remained unchanged, but the slope of the regression line of urinary ASC versus urinary oxalate was steeper than in the controls; the plasma ASC half-life did not differ between controls, normo- and hypercalciuric ICU; the ASC-supplemented meal caused an increase in the integrated plasma oxalate in the normocalciuric subgroup versus controls. In normo- and hypercalciuric ICU urinary oxalate, the oxalate/glycolate ratio, and calcium oxalate supersaturation were increased, but urinary glycolate was unchanged. In the controls, oral ASC did not affect calcium oxalate crystallization, while in ICU, ASC inhibited crystal growth. In control urine calcium oxalate dihydrate and calcium oxalate monohydrate develops, while in ICU urine only the former crystal type develops. In vitro oxalate neoformation from ASC did not occur. It was concluded that (1) under normal conditions an abettor role of ASC for renal stones is not recognizable, (2) in ICU, urinary oxalate excess unrelated to degradation of exogenous ASC is exhibited, and that this is most likely unrelated to an initial increase in oxalate biosynthesis, and (3) ASC appears to modulate directly calcium oxalate crystallization in ICU, although the true mode of action is still not known.

Acute effects of calcium sodium citrate supplementation of a test meal on mineral homeostasis, oxalate, and calcium oxalate crystallization in the urine of healthy humans--preliminary results in patients with idiopathic calcium urolithiasis.

Calcium, in the form of regular food supplementation, can improve bone metabolism, but it can also increase the risk for renal calcium stones, and may aggravate pre-existing calcium urolithiasis. To study the first of these two aspects, ten healthy volunteers were given a conventional test meal (breakfast; calcium content 28 mg) with or without two dosages of calcium (as calcium-sodium citrate, CSC 1, 680 mg; CSC 2 1,360 mg), taken after an overnight 12 h fast. To study the latter aspect, patients with idiopathic recurrent calcium urolithiasis (ICU) received a balanced test meal of fixed composition, containing 1,000 mg calcium either as CSC (Meal + CSC3; n = 6) or as calcium gluconate (Mcal; n = 8). In normals, CSC induced a dose-dependent increasing intestinal absorption of calcium, and a decrease in oxalate absorption; in serum, CSC increased calcitonin and suppressed parathyroid hormone, but left unchanged the markers of bone turnover, serum osteocalcin and bone alkaline phosphatase. In urine, CSC decreased bone resorption markers (collagen crosslinks) and phosphaturia increased citrate, created signs of metabolic alkalosis, and inhibited several parameters of CaOx crystallization. In ICU, the CSC3 load failed to promote the crystallization of CaOx and calcium phosphate. It was concluded that CSC supplementation of a meal: (1) is well tolerated by healthy subjects and ICU patients, renders calcium highly available to bone, and prevents post-prandial oxaluria from rising; and, (2) is followed by the inhibition of crystallization of renal stone forming calcium-containing substances. Long-term studies aimed at evaluating the usefulness of CSC in preserving healthy bone, and in the metaphylaxis of renal stones would appear justified.

Magnesium, citrate, magnesium citrate and magnesium-alkali citrate as modulators of calcium oxalate crystallization in urine: observations in patients with recurrent idiopathic calcium urolithiasis.

The effects of magnesium (Mg) and citrate on the metastable limit of calcium oxalate (CaOx) solubility (synonym: tolerable oxalate TO) were examined in artificial urine and in postprandial urine of male patients with idiopathic calcium urolithiasis (ICU). In artificial urine increasing pH, Mg and citrate elevate TO, decrease CaOx supersaturation only marginally, but elevate considerably free citrate; the effect of Mg alone was small in comparison with citrate alone, and the effects of both substances appeared additive. In ICU patients, matched for sex, age and CaOx supersaturation to non-stone-forming controls, TO was decreased (mean values 0.33 vs. 0.52 mM/l in controls, P < 0.05). Additional significant (P < 0.05) differences were found between ICU and controls: the former exhibited increased CaOx crystal growth, decreased crystal agglomeration time, a more acidic urinary pH, increased concentrations of free calcium and free Mg, and decreased free oxalate and free citrate. After ingestion of a urine-acidifying test meal, or this meal supplemented with either neutral Mg citrate or Mg-alkali citrate, by three groups of male ICU patients, matched for age and CaOx supersaturation, only the last-named preparation evoked an increase in TO and a decrease in crystal diameter, while the normally occurring pH decline from fasting urine was virtually abolished, and the ratios urinary Mg/citrate and calcium/citrate tended towards low values. In contrast, Mg citrate increased crystal agglomeration time, while changes in the other parameters were only insignificant. The crystals formed in urine were CaOx di- and monohydrate (by electron microscopy), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis showed calcium peaks exclusively. However, chemical analysis of crystals verified the presence not only of oxalate and calcium, but also of Mg, phosphate, citrate, and urate; moreover, these crystal constituents seemed to be influenced by Mg citrate and Mg-alkali citrate in different ways. It was concluded that (1) Mg and citrate are effectors of TO in artificial and natural urine; (2) in ICU, low TO and other disturbed CaOx crystallization parameters appear related to the prevailing low urinary pH and low free citrate; (3) Mg-alkali citrate inhibits CaOx crystallization, probably via actions of the citrate, but not the Mg. Because of the eminent role of Mg in human health and ICU, further studies on crystallization after oral intake of Mg in the form of citrate are warranted.

Acute oral calcium-sodium citrate load in healthy males. Effects on acid-base and mineral metabolism, oxalate and other risk factors of stone formation in urine.

The currently preferred calcium preparations for supplementation of food vary widely with respect to calcium availability, effects on systemic mineral metabolism, acid-base status, and the calciuria-induced risk of urinary tract stone formation. In eight healthy males we studied the response to an acute load with alkali(sodium)-containing soluble calcium citrate (CSC) (molar ratio calcium/sodium/citrate approx. = 1/1/1), when taken in three different doses (10, 20, 30 mmol calcium) together with a continental breakfast. Intestinal calcium absorption, serum calcium, calcitonin, parathyroid hormone (PTH) other markers of bone metabolism, net acid excretion and calcium oxalate crystallization in urine were evaluated. CSC evoked a dose-dependent increase in calcium absorption, calcium in serum and urine, but no overt hypercalcemia, and calciuria was low relative to the excess calcium ingested; PTH fell and calcitonin rose (p < 0.05 vs. breakfast alone), but the diet-independent markers of bone resorption declined only insignificantly, while the markers of bone formation and turnover remained unchanged. There was a significant "once-daily" effect (= cumulative 24 h postload response) of CSC: a decrease in urinary cyclic AMP, phosphorus, and ammonium, and an increase in urinary bicarbonate. Soon after CSC intake, urinary calcium oxalate and hydroxyapatite supersaturation increased dose-dependently, the calcium oxalate crystal diameter was increased, but crystal aggregation time, which is crucial for stone formation, remained statistically unchanged. Thus, CSC provides calcium in a bioavailable form, creates mild systemic alkalinisation and inhibition of bone resorption, but leaves the risk of developing urinary stones unchanged. Comparative long-term studies on bone growth and the maintenance of bone health, using alkali-containing versus alkali-free calcium citrate, appear worthwhile.

Postprandial hyperinsulinaemia, insulin resistance and inappropriately high phosphaturia are features of younger males with idiopathic calcium urolithiasis: attenuation by ascorbic acid supplementation of a test meal.

In idiopathic recurrent calcium urolithiasis (RCU) the state of insulin and carbohydrate metabolism, and relationships to minerals such as phosphate, are insufficiently understood. Therefore, in two groups of males with RCU (n = 30) and healthy controls (n = 8) the response to an oral carbohydrate- and calcium-rich test meal was studied with respect to glucose, insulin, and C-peptide in peripheral venous blood (taken before and up to 180 min post-load), and phosphate and glucose in fasting and post-load urine. In one RCU group (n = 16) the meal was supplemented with ascorbic acid (ASC; 5 mg/kg body weight). The mean age (RCU 29, RCU + ASC 30, controls 27 years) and mean body mass index [RCU 24.4, RCU + ASC 25.0, controls 24.0 kg/m2] were similar. Insulin resistance (synonymous sensitivity of peripheral organs to insulin) was calculated from insulin serum concentration, as was also integrated insulin, C-peptide, and glucose. Untreated stone patients (RCU) developed hyperinsulinaemia between 60 and 120 min post-load, increased integrated insulin, and insulin resistance (P < or = 0.05 vs controls), whereas the rise of C-peptide and glycaemia (absolute and integrated values) was only of borderline significance. Fasting phosphaturia was low in both RCU subgroups vs controls; however, phosphaturia in untreated RCU rose in response to the meal, contrasting sharply with a decrease in controls. ASC supplementation of the meal (in the RCU + ASC subgroup) normalized insulin, failed to normalize post-load phosphaturia, but reduced post-load glucosuria and urinary pH significantly (mean pH values 5.55 vs 5.93 in untreated RCU, controls 5.50). Postprandial urinary oxalate, calcium, protein, and supersaturation products were not changed. The postprandial changes in phosphaturia and insulin sensitivity were inversely correlated (n = 38, r = -0.44, P = 0.007). It was concluded that in younger RCU males: (1) postprandial hyperinsulinaemia, the failure to reduce phosphaturia and - within limits - glucosuria, appropriately, as well as poor urine acidification are important features of the metabolism; (2) these phenomena are probably caused by insulin resistance of organs, the kidney included; and (3) the addition of a supraphysiological dose of ASC to a meal, the subsequent abolition of hyperinsulinaemia, and the restoration of normal urine acidification suggest that this antioxidant is capable of counteracting some pre-existing basic abnormality of cell metabolism in RCU.

[The passage, absorption and secretion of nitrogen during the postprandial period using 15N-labeled wheat and marker in growing rats]. / Untersuchungen zur Passage, Resorption und Sekretion von Stickstoff im postprandialen Zeitraum unter Verwendung von 15N-markiertem Weizen und Marker bei wachsenden Ratten.

After a 9 day preparation period 42 Wistar rats (live weight 100 g) were fed a diet of 15N labelled wheat supplemented with the marker TiO2 (impulse labelling). At 7 time intervals (0.5 to 6 h after feeding) 6 animals were killed and thereafter total N, 15N and TiO2 levels were estimated in the digesta of different intestinal sections. The following results were obtained: The transit rate of the marker amounted to 10.3 +/- 0.62% per hour of the intake. The endogenous part of N increased during passage from stomach (3.5%) to duodenum (38.6%), jejunum (59.1%), ileum (64.8%), large intestine (78.3%) and faeces (87.7%). The apparent N digestibility in the stomach increased with time reaching 26% 6 h after feeding. In the whole small intestine it was 66.3%, in the ileum 78.9% and in the large intestine 90.4%. The true digestibility (6 h after feeding) showed the same course, but was always some units higher (stomach 33.3%, whole small intestine 82.5%, ileum 92.2% and large intestine 93.5%). Apparent and true digestibility values in the ileum correspond best to the data of precaecal digestibility; those of the large intestine correspond to the postileal digestibility. The N disappearance rate in the stomach is the sum of absorption rate (16%/h) and transit rate into the small intestine (12.4 +/- 1.6 mg N/h). Most absorption occurred during passage through the small intestine (2/3 of total absorption). The absorption in the small intestine was about 80% of the N amount flowing from the stomach into the intestine. The amount lay between 18.2 and 26.1 mg N/h and half of this was of endogenous origin. The reabsorption rate of endogenous N for the whole intestinal tract was estimated to be 91.4%. The N secretion into the whole intestine increased during the 6 h after feeding up to 85.5 mg (64% of N intake), for which 77 +/- 5.5% was secreted into the small intestine. Secretion into the stomach was relatively small and up to 4 hours after feeding, amounted only to 3.0 ... 6.7 mg N.

Comparison of energy deposition and utilization of feedstuffs and rations between growing and adult pigs.

The effect of energy deposition and the utilization of feedstuffs and rations were compared between growing and adult pigs. The good agreement in the data leads to the conclusion, that the energy deposition effect of feedstuffs and rations in growing pigs can be estimated with an equation based on measurements in adult pigs. Exceptions are feedstuffs which are digested bacterially to a relatively high part in the large intestine, as e.g. sugar beet pulp, raw potatoes or similar feed.

[The energetic utilization of rations with dried concentrates, potatoes, sugar beets, apple pectin and cane sugar by growing, intact and ileorectostomized swine. 1. Results in swine with ileorectal anastomoses]. / Untersuchungen zur energetischen Verwertung von Rationen mit Trockenkonzentraten, Kartoffeln, Zuckerrüben, Apfelpektin und Rohrzucker durch wachsende, intakte und ileorektostomierte Schweine. 1. Mitteilung. Ergebnisse an Schweinen mit Ileo-Rektal Anastomosen.

Rations with dried feedstuffs and rations with between 30 and 50% raw potatoes in the dry matter as well as steamed potatoes and sugar beets, sucrose and apple pectin were tested in measurings of the total metabolism in growing pigs with ileo-rectal anastomoses. The prececal digestibility of the energy of the rations ranged between 42% (rations with raw potatoes) and 79% (rations with sucrose). The digestibility of the rations with a 50% quota of steamed potatoes was better by 30%--units than that of rations with raw potatoes. In addition to crude nutrient digestibility, data are given on the digestibility of starch, water soluble carbohydrates and pectin. The wide variation in the N retention of 6-25 g/animal.day can only be partly connected with energy retention. Urine energy amounted to between 2.5 and 5% of gross energy. The average utilization of metabolizable energy amounted to 69.4%. A connection is to be seen with the value of energy maintenance requirement of 646 kJ retention energy/kg LW0.62.d.

[The energetic utilization of rations with dried concentrates, potatoes, sugar beets, apple pectin and cane sugar by growing, intact and ileorectostomized swine. 2. Comparison of results]. / Untersuchungen zur energetischen Verwertung von Rationen mit Trockenkonzentraten, Kartoffeln, Zuckerrüben, Apfelpektin und Rohrzucker durch wachsende intakte und ileorektostomierte Schweine. 2. Mitteilung. Vergleich der Ergebnisse.

Results of the measuring of the total metabolism of growing intact pigs (INT) and pigs with ileorectal anastomoses (IRA) are compared. The 16 comparisons are based on studies with rations of dried feedstuffs and rations containing between 30 and 50% of the DM raw or steamed potatoes and sugar beets, sucrose and apple pectin. On an average of all comparisons the relative values for the digestibility of energy, DM and the organic matter as well as for the metabolizability of the energy were between 81 and 82% (values measured at INT animals = 100). The comparison also refers to the crude nutrients, the water-soluble carbohydrates, the starch and the pectin. As a tendency, the IRA utilized the metabolizable energy better than the INT animals. The energy maintenance requirement of the IRA animals was--by 15%--significantly higher than that of the INT animals. There is not yet an answer to the question in how far comparative studies of INT and IRA animals make verified statements with regard to the differences in the energetic utilization of the precaecally and postileally digested nutrients possible. For this, further experiments will be necessary.

[Physiologic and nutritional studies in pigs with ileorectal anastomoses. 3. Nitrogen retention and utilization following energy an electrolyte supplementation]. / Ernährungsphysiologische Untersuchungen an Schweinen mit Ileo-Rektal-Anastomosen. 3. Mitteilung. Stickstoff-Retention und -Verwertung bei Energie- und Elektrolytzulagen.

In order to guarantee an equally good development of ileorectostomized pigs (IRA) used for the determination of precaecal protein digestibility and the absorption of amino acids as for intact animals (INT), the supplementation of their rations with easily soluble carbohydrates and minerals is necessary. The effects of these supplements on live weight development, nitrogen balance and N utilization level were the subject of the assessment of 21 rations with 129 and 117 balance measuring resp. with growing IRA and INT pigs. Without any supplementation of the rations the N balances of the IRA pigs showed significantly lower and partly negative N balances and N utilization levels in comparison to the INT pigs. The combined supplement of easily soluble carbohydrates (100 g/kg DM intake) and 300 ... 400 ml electrolyte solution per day (approximately 1 ... 1.3 g additional Na) resulted in N balances almost equal to those of INT pigs. The supplement of both electrolyte solution and NaHCO3 (approximately 2 g Na per animal and day additionally) to a barley + lysine ration resulted in a significant increase of the N balance and N utilization in IRA pigs of a live weight between 120 and 140 kg in contrast to the control period. A supplement of carbohydrates to a ration consisting of barley + fish meal + grass meal and electrolyte supplements of 400 ml per animal and day only resulted in significantly higher N balances and N utilization levels in the live weight range up to 70 kg in comparison to the control periods, which then corresponded to those of INT pigs. There was no essential influence of carbohydrate supplementations on pigs of more than 70 kg live weight. The postileal digestibility of the crude carbohydrates (CC) of 14 rations calculated from the difference between total digestibility (faecal analysis) and precaecal digestibility (analysis of the ileal chyme of IRA pigs) showed that between 40 and 100 g (70 g on average) out of the 780 g CC per kg DM consumed disappear in the large intestine. These studies show that in the testing of concentrates and mixed feed rations the supplementation of 100 g easily soluble carbohydrates/kg DM intake should be sufficient to guarantee a normal development of IRA pigs. In addition, an oral supply of 1 to 2 g sodium in the form of electrolyte solution exceeding the requirement of INT pigs is necessary as this supplementation significantly improves the N retention of IRA pigs even heavier than 100 kg.

[Physiologic nutrition studies in swine with ileorectal anastomoses. 2. The effect of nourseothricin on nutrient digestibility, amino acid absorption, protein utilization and mineral balance of a rye diet]. / Ernährungsphysiologische Untersuchungen an Schweinen mit Ileo-Rektal-Anastomosen. 2. Mitteilung.

The supplement of nourseothricin (NT) to a rye diet did not have an influence on the precaecal and total apparent digestibility of the crude nutrients or the total digestibility of the amino acids (AA). NT produced significantly higher absorption of some AA in pigs with ileo-rectal anastomoses (IRA) which were orally supplied with electrolyte solution (ES). In general, IRA pigs showed the same results with regard to precaecal apparent AA absorption influenced by the AA pattern of endogenous protein as pigs with ileal cannulae. Functions in the large intestine seem to be important for the effect of NT supplements, as NT supplements to the diet of intact animals tendentially had a positive effect on N, Ca and P balances, IRA animals, however, showed a contrary effect. In comparison with the intracaecal infusion of ES, the oral supply of the IRA pigs resulted in higher N, Ca and P balances. The level of N utilization (N balance in % of the digested N) of the IRA pigs supplied orally was equally high as that of the intact animals (both groups without NT). As derives from literature and the available N, Ca and P balances--significantly influenced by ES supplements--an additional supplement of rations poor in crude fibres of 1 g Na/animal and day seems sufficient for covering the requirement of IRA pigs of a weight of 30...40 kg. After 18 days a P supply below the requirement resulted in a significantly reduced P level (inorganic) in the serum in both animal groups, with the level of the IRA pigs being significantly below that of the INT animals. For this reason, the P requirement of fattening pigs should be fully covered in experiments with IRA pigs. Although the IRA pigs supplied caecally with ES showed typical appearances of Na deficiency, their Na level in the serum did not differ from that of the other animals.

[The effect of exogenous factors on prececal nutrient and amino acid absorption, ascertained from swine with ileo-rectal anastomoses. 3. The effect of crude fiber-rich coarse meal supplements to a basic ration]. / Einfluss exogener Faktoren auf die präzäkale Nährstoff- und Aminosäurenresorption, ermittelt an Schweinen mit Ileo-Rektal-Anastomosen. 3. Mitteilung: Einfluss rohfaserreicher Grobfutter-Zulagen zu einer Grundration.

In digestion trials using pigs fitted with ileo-rectal anastomoses and parallel intact pigs the influence of wheat straw meal (WSM) or grass meal (GM) supplemented on two different levels to a basal diet was examined with regard to nutrient and amino acid digestibility resp. absorption. Both roughages reduced, obviously because of their high cell wall contents, nearly at equal amounts and partly significantly the precaecal as well as the total digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, carbohydrates (= crude fibre + NFE), crude fibre and hemicelluloses (arabinose, xylose). By the roughage supplementations the crude protein digestibility at the terminal ileum was less reduced than at the end of the total digestive tract, the starch digestibility was hardly influenced and that of ether extract mostly increased. In comparison with precaecal glucose and fructose digestibilities it could be shown that the anthrone method is not suitable for determinations of the precaecal digestibility of water soluble carbohydrates. Beside these compounds other substances in the ileum digesta must evidently be dyed by anthrone too. The crude protein digestibility and the amino acid absorption were precaecally hardly or not reduced by WSM supplementations, therefore it can be concluded that it is possible to dilute the energy concentration in diets (e.g. for sows) by addition of WSM without impairing protein digestion and amino acid absorption. The GM supplementations, however, impaired protein digestibility and amino acid absorption of the whole diet, probably caused by the encrusted, possibly heat damaged protein present in the GM itself. When the roughage supplemented diets were fed, the excretion of nitrogen compounds in the faeces was enlarged due to the more intensive bacterial activity in the hind gut and the additional sorption effects to cell wall substances, so that a too low apparent and also true digestibility is made believe. The applicability of the difference method to the calculation of protein and amino acid digestibilities in roughages is very questionable because of their low contents and the missing additivity. The crude fibre and hemicellulose digestibility values calculated by the difference method demonstrate for the both roughages--in spite of high standard deviations--that the precaecal digestibility of crude fibre is about zero and that of the hard lignified hemicellulose fraction in contrast to the predominantly endospermic hemicelluloses of the basal diet is very low. The faecal crude fibre and hemicellulose digestibilities of WSM--especially on the lower supplementation levels--are markedly worse than those of GM.

[The effect of exogenous factors on pre-cecal nutrient and amino acid resorption determined in swine with ileo-rectal anastomoses. 2. The effect of the degree of grinding of plant protein-rich concentrates in rations]. / Einfluss exogener Faktoren auf die präzäkale Nährstoff-und Aminosäurenresorption, ermittelt an Schweinen mit Ileo-Rektal-Anastomosen. 2. Mitteilung. Einfluss des Zerkleinerungsgrades von pflanzlichen proteinreichen Konzentraten in Rationen.

In digestion trials using pigs fitted with ileo-rectal anastomoses and intact pigs, the influence of two different grinding finenesses (coarse, fine) of vegetable high-protein concentrates (soya bean meal, field bean, lupin) added to cereal diets was examined. It was found that neither the precaecal nor the total nutrient absorption and digestibility were practically injured, when in the concentrates the particle sizes bigger than 2 mm did not amount more than 20% and whole grains hardly occurred. The investigations concerned the crude putrients, watersoluble carbohydrates and starch as well as the indispensable and dispensable amino acids. The apparent and true precaecal absorption values and total digestibility data for soya bean meal (heat treated), field bean (variety 'Fribo' and yellow sweet lupin (variety 'Bornova'--calculated by the different method--are given and discussed.

[Blood urea concentration, a parameter for the assessment of protein metabolism in pregnant sows. 2. Relations between blood urea concentration and urine nitrogen excretion as well as estimation of urine nitrogen excretion from the blood urea concentration]. / Die Blutharnstoffkonzentration, ein Parameter zur Beurteilung des Proteinstoffwechsels bei tragenden Sauen. 2. Mitteilung. Die Beziehung zwischen der Blutharnstoffkonzentration und der Harn-N-Ausscheidung sowie Schätzung der Harn-N-Ausscheidung aus der Blutharnstoffkonzentration.

The influence of supplementing the ration with the limiting amino acid lysine on N-excretion in urine and the urea concentration in the blood (UCB) is investigated in an experiment with pregnant young sows. In contrast or the basic ration the most satisfactory N-utilisation reflects itself after a lysine intake of 8.2 g/animal and day during the early phase of gestation and 8.6 g during the last phase of gestation both in a diminished N-excretion in urine and a lower UCB. The following correlation coefficients were calculated for the relation between UCB an N-excretion in urine: early phase of gestation: 0.177 (n = 37); last phase of gestation. 0.431 (n = 30); gestation as a whole: 0.416 (n = 67). In a second experiment methionine supplementation in the feeding of a ration with a deficit of sulphur-containing amino acids led to a significant decrease of N-excretion in urine (alpha = 5%). While UCB also significantly decreased 5 hours after feeding, UCB virtually did not react to a changed level of amino acid intake when the blood sample was taken before feeding. In a third experiment, in which 49 g N/animal and day were taken in, differences regarding N-excretion in urine and UCB between pregnant and non-pregnant animals could not be established. When the results published in the first communication (Herrmann and Schneider, 1981) are included, the following correlation coefficients for the relation between N-excretion in urine and UCB are the result: 0.716 (n = 182) for sampling before feeding and 0.808 (n = 133) for sampling 5 hours after feeding. The confidence range of the estimated function y = -2.97 + 1.233 chi for the relation between N-excretion in urine (y; g/animal and day) and UCB 5 hours after feeding (chi; mg/100 ml serum) as well as the variability values do not make it possible to estimate N-excretion in urine from UCB with satisfactory accuracy.