From the observation that fasting heat production includes the cost of body protein resynthesis and the evidence that protein resynthesis is included in the regression estimate of protein retention efficiency it is conjectured that the estimate of maintenance from fasting heat production must be conceptually equal to the regression intercept estimate of maintenance plus the cost of body protein resynthesis. Experimental evidence for comparable situations shows an approximate observational equality in agreement with the conjectured conceptual equality. This approximate equality implies that the theoretical (stiochiometric) efficiency of protein synthesis should be used in conjunction with the estimate of maintenance from fasting heat production for the prediction of growth energy requirements. The approximate maintenance equalities suggest furthermore approximate equality of theoretical fat synthesis efficiency and regression fat retention efficiency. This conjecture is also supported by experimental evidence. Some practical nutrition and pig breeding implications of the foregoing conclusions are indicated.
