Taurine in Human Nutrition and Development

Despite intensive studies by a number of investigators the functions of taurine, and, in particular, the reason for the large amounts found in most mammalian tissues remain unknown. Taurine has been associated with many different biological functions (Jacobsen and Smith, 1968; Huxtable and Barbeau, 1976; Barbeau and Huxtable, 1978) but only its role in conjugating with bile acids is well established. We have concentrated upon possible functions of taurine during development. If taurine is of importance to the brain it is during this vulnerable period that a failure to supply adequate amounts of this compound might have the most long-lasting effects. Thus, the study of the transfer of taurine to the fetus and taurine nutrition in the neonate is of considerable potential importance.