The use offunctional amino acids indifferent categories ofpigs - Areview.

Abstract

The present review deals with aparticularly important topic: the use offunctional amino acids indifferent categories ofpigs. Itis especially relevant inthe context ofthe current efforts toreduce the use ofantibiotics inpig farming and the search for possible alternatives toreplace them. The review isbased onthe definition that functional amino acids (FAAs) are classified asdispensable amino acids, but with additional biological functions, i.e., not only are they used for protein formation, but they are also involved inregulating essential metabolic pathways toimprove health, survival, growth, and development. Wedescribe the mechanism ofaction ofindividual FAAs and their potential use inpigs, including glutamate, glutamine, arginine, branched-chain amino acids (i.e.,leucine, isoleucine, and valine), tryptophan and glycine. The work isdivided into three parts. The first part deals with the FAAs and their role inthe overall health ofsows and their offspring. The second part describes the use offunctional amino acids inpiglets after weaning. Part three examines the use offunctional amino acids ingrowing and fattening pigs and their impact onmeat quality.