[Influence of ammonia gas on indices of protein metabolism in broilers]

The effect was studied of various concentrations of ammonia (5, 20, 50 and 100 ppm) on 20-day old chicken broilers for 120 min. The birds were killed in order to study the protein content in the liver, heart musculature, and blood serum as well as the content of the free amino acids and tryptophane. Followed up was also the transaminase activity of the liver and heart musculature and the activity of GOT and GPT. It was established that ammonia does not alter the content of proteins in the investigated organs and blood serum. A dependable increase in the concentration of the free amino acids in the blood serum observed. Under the effect of 50 and 100 ppm there was no decrease in the tryptophane content of the liver and the blood serum. High concentrations of ammonia decreased the transamimase activity of the liver and heart and raised the activity of the serum GPT.