Impact of Lysine on Mouse Reproductive Behavior

Lysine, an essential amino acid, has a large effect on growth in mammals. C57BL/6 mice were measured on different variables throughout their entire life; starting at the juvenile stage, followed by pregnancy, and as newborns. Weight gain/loss, food consumption, and pup weight gain, activity, color and hair growth were completed with the mice in a low lysine group, which had 4 g/kg of lysine in their diet, and with mice in the control group, which had 14 g/kg of lysine in their diet. During pregnancy, observations were made on weight gain, as well as on food consumption. The results revealed overall the controlled litter of pups had healthier oxygen flow, lower pup mortality, and higher average of pups per litter. The experimental litter had an overall higher activity seen in pups and quicker development of whiskers, fur and opening of the eyes. There was also an increase in weight gain for the pups as well as the mothers and fathers of the litters. The food consumption was higher in the controlled than the experimental