The reproductive performance and outcome of kittens was determined for female cats fed 0.05, 0.2 or 1%
taurine. No adverse effects of high
taurine diets were noted in the adults or offspring, and the reproductive performance was slightly better than that of females fed the normal (0.05%
taurine) diet.
Body weight at birth and brain weight at weaning were significantly greater in the very high
taurine group than in the normal
taurine group, although the greatest growth rate was achieved by the normal
taurine group. The concentration of
taurine in milk of lactating females was substantially higher in cats fed the higher
taurine diets. Brain of adult cats was resistant to increases in brain
taurine concentrations, as was brain of newborn cats. However, brain of juvenile cats responded to higher dietary
taurine intake with increased
taurine concentrations. These results indicate that the higher
taurine content in cat foods recently introduced for prevention of feline
dilated cardiomyopathy should have no adverse effects over a prolonged period on health and reproduction of cats.