Arginine

Mechanism

Arginine is the starting substrate of NO synthesis (vasodilating, circulation-promoting) and an intermediate of the urea cycle for ammonia detoxification. In the horse arginine is considered semi-essential, since it is partly synthesized by the body itself — a dietary requirement is therefore not reliably quantified. The equine evidence on performance, vascular function and reproduction is inconsistent; robust dose-response data are largely lacking.

Cautions

• · The horse's own synthesis often already covers the requirement — additional benefit of supplementation not established
• · No substitute for veterinary evaluation of vascular or reproductive problems

Sources