Plasma level of amino-acids in the developing young rat after intra-uterine growth retardation

The plasma amino-acids of young rats with intra-uterine growth retardation were analysed quantitatively from birth to weaning. A decrease in levels of the essential amino-acids appeared immediately after birth and remained low for the next two days in the plasma of the experimental rats. On the contrary, the alanine level was higher in these same animals as compared to controls and remained elevated throughout the entire suckling period.