An isotope dilution experiment was conducted to determine the effect of metabolizable energy intake (MEI) as starch on whole body protein synthesis (WBPS), nitrogen (N) retention and glucose irreversible loss rate (ILR) in four adult goats (Capra hircus). The goats were fed isonitrogenous diets containing three different metabolizable energy (1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 times maintenance) twice daily. Energy above maintenance was supplemented with cornstarch. The WBPS and glucose ILR during 5 to 7 h after feeding were measured by a primed-continuous infusion of [2H5]phenylalanine, [2H2]tyrosine, [2H4]tyrosine and [13C6]glucose for 4 h, with measurements of plasma concentrations of metabolites and insulin. Ruminal characteristics were also determined. Increasing MEI improved N retention, despite decreased digestible N. Increasing MEI decreased ruminal pH and ammonia nitrogen. In plasma, decreased urea N, increased total amino N and tyrosine, and trends for increases in phenylalanine and insulin resulted from increasing MEI. Increasing MEI increased ILR of glucose, phenylalanine and tyrosine, and hydroxylation rate of phenylalanine and WBPS. We conclude that in goats increasing MEI as starch enhances WBPS in the absorptive state and N retention, despite a decrease in digestible N. These changes are probably associated with both decreased ammonia absorption and increased amino acid absorption.