ABSTRACT The present review aims to discuss some aspects of the biochemical behaviour of Antarctic birds in regard to the nitrogen metabolism. The paper begins with a critical analysis of the concepts of ureotelism and uricotelism, particularly in regard to birds. Results were shown and analysed on the blood levels of urea, uric acid and creatinine assayed in Pygoscellidae penguins and the skua Catharata maccormick. An analysis is carried out on the levels of hepatic arginase assayed during the biological development of Pygoscellidae penguins. This paper will also deal with the biosynthesis and metabolic interrelationships of nitrogen compounds and the phylogenetic aspects of nitrogen metabolism particularly in Antarctic birds.
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