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==What is Taurine?==

==What is Taurine?==

[[File:Feline taurine.jpg|300px|right|thumb|© Diffomédia/Masure]]

[[File:Feline taurine.jpg|300px|right|thumb|© Diffomédia/Masure]]

[[File:Taurine.jpg|300px|right|thumb|Role of taurine in the cat<br>© Diffomédia/Masure]]

[[File:Taurine.jpg|300px|right|thumb|Role of taurine in the cat]]

Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is a '''naturally occurring sulphonic acid produced in the [[Liver - Anatomy & Physiology|liver]]''' as an end product of [[Methionine and Cysteine - Nutrition|cysteine]] metabolism. Taurine is not incorporated into proteins but found free in animal tissues; the highest concentrations are found in [[:Category:Nervous System - Anatomy & Physiology|brain]], [[Heart - Anatomy & Physiology|heart]], and skeletal [[Muscles - Anatomy & Physiology|muscle]]. Although commonly referred to as an amino acid it lacks a carboxyl group and is not classified as a true amino acid. '''Dogs can synthesise taurine from dietary precursors''' and are typically able produce amounts sufficient to meet daily needs. '''Cats are unable to produce adequate amounts of taurine to meet requirements and pre-formed taurine is required in the diet.'''

Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is a '''naturally occurring sulphonic acid produced in the [[Liver - Anatomy & Physiology|liver]]''' as an end product of [[Methionine and Cysteine - Nutrition|cysteine]] metabolism. Taurine is not incorporated into proteins but found free in animal tissues; the highest concentrations are found in [[:Category:Nervous System - Anatomy & Physiology|brain]], [[Heart - Anatomy & Physiology|heart]], and skeletal [[Muscles - Anatomy & Physiology|muscle]]. Although commonly referred to as an amino acid it lacks a carboxyl group and is not classified as a true amino acid. '''Dogs can synthesise taurine from dietary precursors''' and are typically able produce amounts sufficient to meet daily needs. '''Cats are unable to produce adequate amounts of taurine to meet requirements and pre-formed taurine is required in the diet.'''

#'''Feline Central Retinal Degeneration (FCRD)''':  Taurine deficient cats develop hyper-reflective lesions in the area centralis of the [[Eye - Anatomy & Physiology#The Wall (retina, uvea and sclera)|retina]], which progresses to complete photoreceptor degeneration and ultimately blindness<ref>Anderson PA, et al. Biochemical lesions associated with taurine deficiency in the cat.  J Anim Sci 1979;49:1227-1234.</ref>. This condition is not reversible, but is very rare in cats fed diets with adequate taurine content.

#'''Feline Central Retinal Degeneration (FCRD)''':  Taurine deficient cats develop hyper-reflective lesions in the area centralis of the [[Eye - Anatomy & Physiology#The Wall (retina, uvea and sclera)|retina]], which progresses to complete photoreceptor degeneration and ultimately blindness<ref>Anderson PA, et al. Biochemical lesions associated with taurine deficiency in the cat.  J Anim Sci 1979;49:1227-1234.</ref>. This condition is not reversible, but is very rare in cats fed diets with adequate taurine content.

#'''[[Dilated Cardiomyopathy - Feline Cardiomyopathies|Dilated Cardiomyopathy]]''': Taurine deficiency in now an uncommon cause of DCM in cats as commercial diets are supplements with adequate taurine levels. Cats with taurine-deficient DCM may present with subclinical disease or in overt heart failure. Echocardiography usually demonstrates left atrium enlargement, dilation of both ventricles (see image), and decreased left ventricular contractility<ref>Pion PD, et al. Myocardial failure in cats associated with low plasma taurine: a reversible cardiomyopathy. Science 1987;237:764-768.</ref>. Supplementation with oral taurine (250 - 500 mg orally twice a day) may improve clinical signs in 1-3 weeks.  

#'''[[Dilated Cardiomyopathy - Feline Cardiomyopathies|Dilated Cardiomyopathy]]''': Taurine deficiency in now an uncommon cause of DCM in cats as commercial diets are supplements with adequate taurine levels. Cats with taurine-deficient DCM may present with subclinical disease or in overt heart failure. Echocardiography usually demonstrates left atrium enlargement, dilation of both ventricles (see image), and decreased left ventricular contractility<ref>Pion PD, et al. Myocardial failure in cats associated with low plasma taurine: a reversible cardiomyopathy. Science 1987;237:764-768.</ref>. Supplementation with oral taurine (250 - 500 mg orally twice a day) may improve clinical signs in 1-3 weeks.  

#'''Decreased Immune Response''': Prolonged taurine deficiency in cats can result in a range of abnormalities in the immune system, including leukopenia, neutrophil dyfunction depletion of cells from B-cell areas of lymph nodes and spleen<ref>Schuller-Levis G, et al. Immunologic consequences of taurine deficiency in cats. J Leukoc Biol 1990;47:321-331.</ref>. The clinical significance of immune dysfunction related to taurine deficiency is not well described.  

#'''Decreased Immune Response''': Prolonged taurine deficiency in cats can result in a range of abnormalities in the [[:Category:Immunology|immune system]], including leukopenia, neutrophil dyfunction depletion of cells from B-cell areas of [[ Lymph Nodes - Anatomy & Physiology|lymph nodes]] and [[Spleen - Anatomy & Physiology|spleen]]<ref>Schuller-Levis G, et al. Immunologic consequences of taurine deficiency in cats. J Leukoc Biol 1990;47:321-331.</ref>. The clinical significance of immune dysfunction related to taurine deficiency is not well described.  

#'''Poor Reproductive Performance''': Although taurine-deficient cats come into [[Oestrous Cycle - Cat|oestrus]] normally dietary taurine deprivation adversely affects feline pregnancy<ref name="Sturman">Sturman JA. Dietary taurine and feline reproduction and development. J Nutr 1991;121:S166-S170.</ref> it is associated with:

#'''Poor Reproductive Performance''': Although taurine-deficient cats come into [[Oestrous Cycle - Cat|oestrus]] normally dietary taurine deprivation adversely affects feline pregnancy<ref name="Sturman">Sturman JA. Dietary taurine and feline reproduction and development. J Nutr 1991;121:S166-S170.</ref> it is associated with:

:*abortion,  

:*abortion,  

:*poor kitten survival.  

:*poor kitten survival.  

::Taurine deficiency in queens has also been associated with congenital defects in kittens such as [[hydrocephalus]] and anencephaly, cerebellar dysgenesis, abnormal hind-limb development and thoracic kyphosis<ref>Sturman JA, et al. Feline maternal taurine deficiency: Effect on mother and offspring. J Nutr 1986;116:655-667.</ref><ref>Sturman JA and Lu P. Role of feline maternal taurine nutrition in fetal cerebellar development: and immunohistochemical study. Amino Acids 1997;13:369-377.</ref>. Taurine-deprived, live-born kittens have a poor postnatal survival rate, maturational delay, and reduced growth rates<ref name="Sturman"/>. Surviving kittens are often small and weak and are prone to various complications.   

::Taurine deficiency in queens has also been associated with congenital defects in kittens such as [[hydrocephalus]] and anencephaly, cerebellar dysgenesis, abnormal hind-limb development and thoracic kyphosis<ref>Sturman JA, et al. Feline maternal taurine deficiency: Effect on mother and offspring. J Nutr 1986;116:655-667.</ref><ref>Sturman JA and Lu P. Role of feline maternal taurine nutrition in fetal cerebellar development: and immunohistochemical study. Amino Acids 1997;13:369-377.</ref>. Taurine-deprived, live-born kittens have a poor postnatal survival rate, maturational delay, and reduced growth rates<ref name="Sturman"/>. Surviving kittens are often small and weak and are prone to various complications.   

:5.  '''[[Ear - Anatomy & Physiology#Deafness|Deafness]]''': Taurine deficiency has been associated with delayed auditory brainstem- evoked response maturation in cats resulting in hearing loss<ref>Vallecalle-Sandoval MH, et al. Comparison of the developmental changes of the brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) in taurine-supplemented and taurine-deficient kittens. Int J Dev Neurosci 1991;9(6):571-9.</ref>.

:5.  '''[[Ear - Anatomy & Physiology#Deafness|Deafness]]''': Taurine deficiency has been associated with delayed auditory brainstem-evoked response maturation in cats resulting in hearing loss<ref>Vallecalle-Sandoval MH, et al. Comparison of the developmental changes of the brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) in taurine-supplemented and taurine-deficient kittens. Int J Dev Neurosci 1991;9(6):571-9.</ref>.

==Toxicity==

==Toxicity==

==References==

==References==

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[[Category:Amino Acids]]

[[Category:Amino Acids]]