Dietary supplements to a low protein diet may affect the occurrence of hepatic lipidosis in mink - a strict carnivore

Material and methods Seventy-two growing mink where allocated into six groups with 6 males and 6 females. The control group was fed a conventional diet (30% of metabolisable energy (ME) from protein) whereas the 5 remaining groups were fed a LP diet (20% of ME from protein) and supplemented with crystalline amino acids (0.8% alanine, 0.5% taurine, 0.5% arginine, 0.5% methionine) or 2.5% dextrose. Balance and respiration experiments were performed and the animals were weighed and blood sampled every third week. The liver and body weights were recorded for all animals.