A 2‐fold increase in threonine intake is required in late pregnancy

Abstract

Current recommendations for amino acid (AA) intake during pregnancy in humans and pigs are for a single intake throughout. This is illogical because requirement should be higher in late pregnancy due to dramatic increases in conceptus growth during the 3rd trimester. THR requirement was determined using the indicator amino acid oxidation method in eight multiparous sows using L[1‐13C]phenylalanine. Sows received diets ranging from 20 to 180% of the current recommended THR intake (10 gd−1) based on BW, expected pregnancy weight gain and litter size. Tracer phenylalanine was given orally in 8 ½‐hourly meals and expired 13CO2 was quantified. Data was analyzed using a nonlinear Mixed model. Sow reproductive performance was similar to commercial standards. The THR requirement in early pregnancy was 4.9 gd−1 (R2=0.71) and in late pregnancy was 12.8 gd−1 (R2=0.58), compared to the recommendation of 10 gd−1. Nutritional regimes in pregnancy should account for changes in AA requirement during pregnancy to reduce the risk of overfeeding AA in early pregnancy and underfeeding AA in late pregnancy.Grant Funding Source: AB Pork, ON Pork, ALIDF, ACAAF, Ajinomoto