Abstract
A degeneration of the retinal photoreceptor cells develops in cats when casein is the source of dietary protein. Amino acid profiles indicate that the degeneration is associated with a selective decrease in plasma and retinal taurine concentrations. A sulfur amino acid deficit in the casein diet combined with specific amino acid requirements of the cat appear related to this unique expression of taurine deficiency.
Publication types
- Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
- Amino Acids / analysis
- Amino Acids / blood
- Animals
- Caseins / metabolism
- Cats
- DNA / analysis
- Dietary Proteins / metabolism
- Models, Biological
- Nutritional Requirements
- Retina / analysis
- Retina / pathology
- Retinal Degeneration / etiology*
- Retinal Degeneration / metabolism
- Retinal Degeneration / pathology
- Sulfur / metabolism
- Taurine / analysis
- Taurine / blood
- Taurine / deficiency*
Substances
- Amino Acids
- Caseins
- Dietary Proteins
- Taurine
- Sulfur
- DNA