The 3-day-old rat has a high basal level of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), the activity of which is not increased upon starvation. The lower basal activity of the enzyme in 19-day-old rat liver can, however, be stimulated by starvation. Serum glucose levels increased from 3 days to 19 days of age, with a decrease to adult levels. Liver glycogen concentration increased from 3 days to 19 days of age, with no additional increase observed at 3 months. There was a decrease with age in the specific activity of liver glycogen (from [14C]alanine and [14C]leucine). In fed rats given [14C]alanine, [14CO2expiration tended to decrease with age. The14CO2production from [14C]leucine was less than that from alanine, and also decreased with age. Three-day-old rats showed no change in serum glucose when starved for 4 hr. On the other hand, 19-day-old rats responded with a decrease in serum glucose; although the adult animal's basal level of serum glucose was less than that of the 19-day-old rats, starvation for 15 hr also caused a significant decrease. There was no statistically significant difference in liver glycogen concentration between the fed and starved 3-day-old animals. Liver glycogen concentration in the 19-day-old adult rats was affected, however, by starvation. The 3-day-old rat showed no significant change in incorporation of labeled amino acids into liver glycogen during starvation. Starvation resulted in a tremendous increase in the specific activity of hepatic glycogen in the 19-day-old and adult rats. Starvation decreased the percentage of labeled amino acid expired as14CO2. The proportion expired also decreased with age. Urinary nitrogen concentration increased significantly between 3 and 19 days of age. Starvation produced differential effects in the animals, with no change being observed in either the 3-day or adult rats; a decrease was observed in the 19-day-old animals. Urinary nitrogen concentration was measured in adult carbohydrate- deprived rats and was significantly higher than control values. These rats had a high gluconeogenic rate, reflected in the increased urinary nitrogen concentration. The young rat is at the mercy of a continuous supply of substrate in that it has a limited capacity for directing substrate flow within the liver in response to dietary changes.SpeculationThe relatively high dietary protein requirement for the neonatal rat may be a reflection of the utilization of amino acids not only for protein synthesis, but also for energy, as well as the need to conserve nitrogen as a source of nucleic acids for hyperplastic growth.