| The use of a linear-plateau procedure to describe the response of an individual in the population has theoretical support, since the maximum potential performance of each individual is genetically determined, and any increment in intake of the limiting nutrient above maintenance will result in a linear response in output until this genetic potential, and hence requirement, is reached. However, because of the distribution of body weights and maximum potential outputs in the population, the mean response of the population is curvilinear, which negates the possibility of defining a 'requirement' for the limiting nutrient, and instead leads to the possibility of defining an optimum economic intake of the nutrient.. The Reading model describes the response of a... |
