N-carbamylglutamate
NCG is an analogue of N-acetyl-L-glutamate (NAG) that acts in its place in the urea cycle, where endogenous arginine is produced. Arginine matters greatly for reproduction, lactation, immunity, and growth — yet feeding arginine directly is costly and it degrades readily in the rumen. NCG is chemically stable, resists rumen degradation, works at low inclusion rates, and efficiently activates the body's own arginine synthesis — making it a more economical and practical alternative to arginine.
As a functional analogue of NAG, NCG activates CPS-I, the first rate-limiting enzyme in the urea cycle. This enzyme catalyzes the reaction of ammonia and carbon dioxide into carbamoyl phosphate — a key step in the endogenous synthesis of arginine. By accelerating the urea cycle, NCG reduces the concentration of ammonia and carbon dioxide in the blood, improving the utilization of nitrogen and carbon sources and reducing harm from ammonia.
The polyamines produced by the urea cycle promote protein synthesis and tissue growth and improve immunity, while NO contributes to capillary development and blood circulation, delivering more nutrients and oxygen to the body. As a result, small-intestinal villi and rumen papillae become richer in capillaries, boosting the digestion and absorption of feed. Ruminants can additionally make use of the urea produced through saliva and the rumen wall, benefiting their growth and health.
Approved scope per China's current Feed Additive Catalogue: pregnant sows, Japanese sea bass, and lactating dairy cows.
