Abstract
To investigate the responses of amino acid metabolism in portal-drained viscera (PDV), liver, and mammary glands (MGs) to a graded gradual decrease of post-ruminal Lys supply, four multi-catheterized lactating goats were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square experiment. Goats were fasted for 12 h and then received a 33-h abomasal infusion of an amino acid mixture and glucose. Treatments consisted of a graded decrease of Lys content in the infusate to 100 (complete), 60, 30, or 0% as in casein. Lys-removed infusions decreased the production of milk, milk protein, fat, and lactose linearly and also decreased arterial Lys concentrations linearly (p < 0.05). Net PDV uptake decreased linearly (p < 0.05) with decreasing PDV loss ratio (p < 0.05). Although liver removal of Lys decreased linearly (p < 0.05), the removal ratio relative to portal absorption changed small, which was about 10% in all four treatments. Reduced Lys supply resulted in a linear decrease in the utilization of Lys in the peripheral tissues (except mammary, p < 0.05) and the release of more Lys in MGs. Although net mammary uptake of Lys declined linearly (p < 0.05), lactating goats can partially offset the negative effect of decreased circulating Lys concentrations by increasing mammary affinity (p < 0.05) and increasing mammary blood flow (p < 0.05). Graded removal of Lys from the infusate linearly decreased mammary uptake-to-output ratios of Lys (p < 0.05) suggesting that mammary catabolism of Lys decreased. Meanwhile, the treatments linearly increased circulating concentrations of glucagon and linearly decreased prolactin (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the results of the present study indicated that there were several mechanisms used to mitigate a Lys deficiency, including reduced catabolism of Lys in PDV and peripheral tissues (including MGs) and linearly increased mammary blood flow and mammary affinity together with increased mammary uptake and U:O of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA). Given these changes, the decline in milk protein production could be attributed to the combined effect of mass action with Lys and hormonal status.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
