Relation of Serum and Muscle Free Amino Acids to Dietary Protein in the Northern Bobwhite

This study investigated the effects of dietary protein content on body condition and used serum and muscle free amino acids to assess the status of juvenile Northern Bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus). Thirty-six juveniles were subjected to three experimental dietary protein treatments (8, 15, and 33 % crude protein). Body mass was reduced in Bobwhites fed either 15 or 8 % protein diets. Total concentrations of sulfur-containing amino acids, and ratios of branched-chain to non-branched chain amino acids, essential amino acid to nonessential amino acids, and glycine to (leucine + valine) in blood serum were useful for discriminating among diet groups. Likewise, concentrations of sulfur-containing amino acids and glycine were useful discriminators for muscle tissue homogenates. Profiles of selected amino acids in serum and muscle can be used for assessing protein nutritional status and diet quality of Bobwhites