Dietary Lysine Concentration Research Articles

Relação da ractopamina com componentes nutricionais e desempenho em suínos: um estudo meta-analítico

Uma meta-análise foi realizada para avaliar a associação da ractopamina com variáveis nutricionais e de desempenho em suínos. A base de dados contemplou 29 artigos publicados em periódicos nacionais e internacionais entre 1990 e 2007, totalizando 155 tratamentos e 3.786 suínos em terminação. A inclusão média de ractopamina foi de 15,3ppm (variação de 0 a 30ppm) e a ingestão média diária de ractopamina foi 24,9mg (variação de 0 a 84mg). A inclusão de ractopamina nas dietas apresentou (P<0,05) correlação positiva com o ganho de peso (0,214) e com a eficiência alimentar dos animais (0,231). A ractopamina não alterou (P>0,05) o consumo de ração, mas aumentou (P<0,05) em cerca de 12% a eficiência alimentar, em 10% o ganho de peso e em 3,7% o peso vivo final dos animais. As concentrações de proteína, lisina e energia nas dietas afetaram a resposta dos animais suplementados com ractopamina. Para cada incremento em uma unidade percentual no conteúdo dietético de lisina, pode ser esperado aumento de 341g no ganho de peso (GMD=0,687+0,341LIS; R²=0,71) e de 1,3% na eficiência alimentar dos animais (EF=2,14+1,34LIS; R²=0,62). A ractopamina melhora o desempenho dos suínos, porém a interação do aditivo com os componentes nutricionais deve ser considerada para a formulação das dietas.

The minimum dietary lysine requirement, maintenance requirement and efficiency of lysine utilization for growth of Atlantic salmon smolts

This study was conducted to evaluate and refine the dietary lysine requirement of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolts using both the dose–response technique to determine the minimum dietary requirement and different ration levels to determine the maintenance lysine requirement and the efficiency of lysine utilization for growth. Diets containing 1.97–3.16% lysine (presented in protein-bound form of lysine) were fed to satiation or at 25–75% ration levels to smolts during the last week in fresh water and the following 9 weeks in seawater. Based on the exponential lysine gain response to increasing dietary lysine concentrations, the minimum lysine requirement was found to be 2.67% of diet (dry matter basis; protein-bound form or 3.05% free form). The smolts fed the unsupplemented diet maximally utilized the digestible lysine intake for growth. The efficiency of digestible lysine utilization for growth was 0.85 in the diet containing 2.88% lysine and the maintenance requirement was 21.7 mg digestible lysine kg−0.7 day−1.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Bioavailability of lysine for kittens in overheated casein is underestimated by the rat growth assay method*,†

Growth assays were performed to determine lysine bioavailability for kittens and rats in untreated and heated casein; these values were compared with estimates obtained with an in vitro method. Body weight, food intake, nitrogen and dry matter digestibility, and plasma lysine were determined during an 80-day growth trial using kittens (n = 16). Body weight and food intake were determined during a 21-day growth trial using weanling rats (n = 80). The growth data showed bioavailable lysine to be 102.4% and 100.2% (for untreated casein) and 66.1% and 51.7% (for heated casein) for kittens and rats, respectively. There was no relationship between plasma lysine and dietary lysine concentrations for kittens. There were no significant differences in nitrogen or dry matter digestibility among diets for kittens. The chemically reactive lysine content of untreated casein was 99.6%, and of heated casein was 67.1%. Heat treatment of casein resulted in significantly decreased lysine bioavailability as estimated by all methods. For untreated casein, both growth assays showed good agreement with the in vitro method for available lysine. For heated casein, the rat growth assay significantly underestimated bioavailable lysine as determined in kittens while the in vitro method closely approximated this value for the cat.

Daily Variations in Dietary Lysine Content Alter the Expression of Genes Related to Proteolysis in Chicken Pectoralis major Muscle

Amino acids are known to be anabolic factors that affect protein metabolism, but the response of animals to daily amino acid changes is little understood. We aimed to test the effects of feeding birds with alternations of diets varying in lysine content on the expression of genes related to proteolysis in chicken muscle. Cyclic feeding programs with 2 diets, each given for 24 h during 48-h cycles, were carried out from 10 d of age. Three programs were used: 1) control treatment with continuous distribution of a complete diet containing standard medium lysine level (ML; 11.9 g/kg); 2) alternation of diets with high (HL) and low (LL) lysine levels; 3) alternation of ML and LL diets, where LL = 70%, ML = 100%, HL = 130% of standard lysine level. The Pectoralis major muscles were sampled after 2 wk of cyclic feeding. Measurements included the expression patterns of 6 genes involved in proteolysis, and mammalian target of rapamycin and Forkhead box-O transcription factor (FoxO) signaling. Cathepsin B, m-calpain, and E3 ubiquitin ligases Muscle Ring Finger-1 and Muscle Atrophy F box were significantly overexpressed in chickens transiently fed the LL diet, whereas the mRNA levels of 20S proteasome C2 subunit and ubiquitin remained unchanged. Modifications of E3 ubiquitin ligase expression can be partly explained by significant changes in FoxO phosphorylation with cyclic dietary treatments. Our results suggest timing-sensitive regulation of proteolysis in chicken muscle according to dietary treatment and a high metabolism capacity to compensate for changes in amino acid supply, which might be used for nutritional purposes.

Effects of Various Dietary Arginine and Lysine Concentrations on Plasma and Liver Cholesterol Concentrations in Rats

Background: It has been hypothesized that the arginine:lysine ratio of dietary proteins influences cholesterol concentrations in plasma and liver of men and animals. This study was performed to test this hypothesis in rats by using diets with various concentrations of arginine and lysine, differing in their arginine:lysine ratios. Methods: Two experiments with growing rats were performed, some of which received diets containing 4.5, 9 or 18 g arginine/kg and 9 or 18 g lysine/kg, respectively, for a period of 21 days. In the first experiment, a cholesterol-free diet was used; in the second experiment, a diet supplemented with cholesterol and sodium cholate as hypercholesterolaemic compounds was used. Results: In experiment 1, increasing the arginine concentration lowered HDL and plasma cholesterol concentration; however, cholesterol concentrations in liver, LDL and VLDL remained unchanged. In experiment 2, increasing the arginine concentration lowered HDL cholesterol and increased liver cholesterol (p < 0.05); cholesterol concentrations in plasma, LDL and VLDL remained unchanged. The only effect of the dietary lysine concentration concerned the effect on VLDL and liver cholesterol concentration, which were both lower in rats fed the diets with 18 g lysine/kg than in those fed the diets with 9 g lysine/kg (p < 0.05). Varying the dietary arginine:lysine ratio between 0.25 and 2.0 had no influence on cholesterol concentration in LDL and VLDL in both experiments; HDL cholesterol concentration was lowered by increasing this ratio (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The present study does not support the hypothesis that an increase in the dietary arginine:lysine ratio causes hypocholesterolaemic effects in rats.

Effects of Lower Dietary Lysine and Energy Content on Carcass Characteristics and Meat Quality in Growing-finishing Pigs

Fifty-four PIC barrows were used to evaluate the effects of lower dietary lysine content and energy level on carcass characteristics and meat quality in slaughter pigs. Pigs were allotted to one of three treatments by body weight with six replicate pens in each treatment. The dietary treatments for body weights of 20-50 kg, 50-80 kg and 80-90 kg were as follows, respectively: control diet (digestible energy 14.22 MJ/kg, lysine/DE 0.67 g/MJ, 0.53 g/MJ and 0.42 g/MJ); a low lysine group (digestible energy 14.22 MJ/kg, lysine/DE 0.49, 0.38 and 0.30 g/MJ); and a low lysine-low energy group or low nutrient group (digestible energy 13.11 MJ/kg, lysine/DE 0.49, 0.38 and 0.30 g/MJ). The daily weight gain, daily feed intake and feed efficiency were calculated in the overall growth period (nearly 12 weeks). Meanwhile, carcass characteristics and meat quality were evaluated at 60 and 90 kg body weight respectively. During the overall growth trial, lowering dietary lysine and nutrient level both decreased weight gain (p<0.05) and feed efficiency (p<0.01). At 60 kg body weight, decreasing dietary lysine and nutrient level noticeably decreased dressing percentage (p<0.01) and back fat depth at last rib of PIC pigs (p<0.01), but enhanced marbling scores (p<0.10), intramuscular fat content (p<0.10) and water loss rate (p<0.01) of the longissimus dorsi muscle. At 90 kg body weight, lean percentage (p<0.01) was evidently reduced by both lowering lysine content and nutrient level in the diet. However, the shoulder back fat depth (p<0.05) and marbling scores of the loin eye muscle (p<0.05) were increased; Lowering dietary nutrient level could improve back fat depth of 10th rib (p<0.01) and last rib (p<0.01), intramuscular fat content (p<0.10), redness (p<0.01) and water loss rate of the loin eye muscle (p<0.05), but decrease loin area (p<0.05). Finally, when comparing the 60 kg and 90 kg slaughter weights, it was found that the shoulder back fat depth (p<0.01, p<0.10), 6th-7th rib (p<0.01, p<0.01), 10th-rib (p<0.01, p<0.01) and last rib back fat depth (p<0.01, p<0.01) of the low lysine and low nutrient group were all obviously increased comparing with the control group. Taken together, the results showed that decreasing dietary lysine content and nutrient level increased intramuscular fat content and water loss rate of longissimus dorsi muscle; On the other hand, both lowering dietary lysine and nutrient level markedly compensated to increase back fat deposition in the later finishing period (body weight from 60

A moderate excess of dietary lysine lowers plasma and tissue carnitine concentrations in pigs

This study was performed to investigate whether dietary lysine concentration influences the carnitine status of pigs. Therefore, an experiment with twenty young pigs with an average body weight of 21 kg was performed which were fed either a control diet (9.7 g lysine/kg) or a diet with a moderate excess of lysine (16.8 g lysine/kg). Concentrations of all the other amino acids did not differ between the diets. Pigs fed the high-lysine diet had lower concentrations of free and total carnitine in plasma, liver, kidney and skeletal muscle than control pigs (P<0.05). Pigs fed the high-lysine diet moreover had an increased concentration of trimethyllysine (TML), a reduced mRNA abundance of TML dioxygenase and reduced concentrations of gamma-butyrobetaine (BB) in muscle, indicating that the conversion of TML into BB in muscle was impaired. Concentrations of BB, the metabolic precursor of carnitine, in plasma, liver and kidney were also reduced in pigs fed the high-lysine diet while the activity of BB dioxygenase in kidney was not different and that in liver was even increased compared to control pigs (P<0.05). In conclusion, this study shows that a moderate dietary excess of lysine lowers plasma and tissue carnitine concentrations in pigs. Reduced concentrations of BB in liver and kidney suggest that the depressed carnitine status was likely caused by a decreased rate of carnitine synthesis due to a diminished availability of carnitine precursor, probably mainly as a result of an impaired BB formation in muscle.

Effects of Dietary Metabolizable Energy and Lysine on Carcass Characteristics and Meat Quality in Arbor Acres Broilers

An experiment was performed to evaluate the effects of dietary metabolizable energy (ME) and lysine on carcass characteristics and meat quality in Arbor Acres (AA) broilers from 1 to 56 days of age. A total of 2,970 1-d-old male broiler chicks were randomly allocated to nine dietary treatments (three ME levels in combination with three lysine levels), and dietary ME and lysine concentrations were formulated by varying corn, soybean meal, tallow, and L-lysine sulfate concentrations. Live body weight (BW), carcass weight (CW), dressing percent, breast muscle weight (BMW), yield of breast muscle, muscle color (CIE L*, a*, and b*), pH values 45 min and 24 h postmortem (pH 45 , and pH 24 ), meat shear force value (SFV), and water loss rate (WLR) were evaluated. Results showed that live body weight and dressing percent increased (p<0.05) as dietary energy increased. Higher dietary lysine content improved breast muscle weight. Neither carcass weight nor yield of breast muscle was affected by dietary energy or lysine content. Higher ME increased the b* value (p = 0.067) and pH 24 value (p<0.05), whereas it decreased SFV (p<0.05) and WLR (p = 0.06). Only water loss rate was influenced (p<0.01) by dietary lysine, which was higher in broilers from the high lysine diet as compared to those from medium or low lysine diets. The pH 45 value and L* value of breast muscle were not affected by ME or lysine. Significant interaction of dietary ME and lysine was found on a* value of breast muscle. These results indicated that dietary ME and lysine had important effects on breast muscle growth and meat quality, however their effects were different. Different concentrations of dietary ME and lysine might be considered to improve meat quality.

Effect of feeding fermented liquid feed and fermented grain on gastrointestinal ecology and growth performance in piglets

To investigate the microbial and nutritional characteristics of dry feed, liquid feed containing fermented liquid cereal grains, and fermented liquid feed, and their effect on gastrointestinal ecology and growth performance, 120 piglets from 40 litters were used and housed in pens with 5 animals in each. The 3 dietary treatments (all nonheated and nonpelleted diets) were: a dry meal diet (DRY); a fermented, liquid cereal grain feed (FLG); and a fermented liquid feed (FLF). The FLG diet was prepared by storing the dietary cereals (barley and wheat) and water (1:2.5, wt/wt) in a closed tank at 20 degrees C and adding the remaining dietary ingredients immediately before feeding. The FLF diet was prepared by storing compound feed and water (1:2.5, wt/wt) in a closed tank at 20 degrees C. Three times daily, 50% of the fermented cereals or compound feed and water stored in the tanks was removed and replaced with an equal amount of fresh cereals or feed and water. On d 14, 1 piglet from each pen was killed and samples from the gastrointestinal tract were obtained. The pH of the fermented cereals was 3.85 (SD = 0.10), that of the FLG diet was 5.00 (SD = 0.18), and the pH of the FLF diet was 4.45 (SD = 0.11). The dietary concentration of lysine (g/16 g of N) pointed to a decreased concentration in the FLF (5.46, SD = 0.08) compared with the DRY (6.01) and FLG (6.21, SD = 0.27) diets, and the concentration of cadaverine was greater in the FLF diet (890 mg/kg, SD = 151.3) than in the DRY (32 mg/kg) or FLG (153 mg/kg, SD = 18.7) diets. Fermenting only the cereal component of the diet (FLG) promoted the growth of yeasts to a greater extent than fermenting the whole diet (FLF). Terminal RFLP profiles of diets and digesta from the stomach and midcolon showed differences among dietary groups. The number of yeasts able to grow at 37 degrees C in the stomach and caudal small intestine was greatest in the FLG group compared with the other 2 dietary groups (P < 0.01). In the cecum and colon, the differences were only significant between piglets fed the FLG and the FLF diets (P < 0.05). The greatest number of yeasts able to grow at 20 degrees C was detected in the animals fed the FLG diet. However, the values were different from the FLF-fed piglets only in the stomach (P < 0.05) and midcolon (P < 0.05). There was a tendency (P < 0.10) for greater ADG of the piglets fed the FLG compared with the FLF diet. Feeding liquid feed containing fermented, liquid cereal grains as a means of avoiding microbial decarboxylation of free amino acids in the feed and increasing feed intake by improving palatability seems promising but requires further investigation.

Modeling lysine requirements of Oreochromis niloticus due to principles of the diet dilution technique

Two experiments were conducted using 16 mixed diets with lysine as the first limiting dietary amino acid. Experimental diets were randomly assigned to four replicate tanks with 25 fish per tank (experiment I) or 18 fish per tank (experiment II) and fed to juvenile all male Nile tilapia for 56 days (12.0 g average body weight at start). Protein deposition depending on the intake of the limiting amino acid was measured by total body analysis of 10 fish per experiment at the beginning and 3 fish per replicate tank at the end of the study. N-deposition data were statistically analyzed using a non-linear N-utilization model for assessment of the dietary efficiency of lysine utilization. Results were evaluated to provide reliable information about dietary lysine efficiency and approved data were utilized for model calculation of lysine requirements. Using predicted daily feed intake (3 vs. 2.5%) and dietary lysine efficiency as measured, the optimal dietary lysine concentration was calculated corresponding to 60% (1.29 vs. 1.55% lysine), 70% (1.63 vs. 1.95% lysine), and 80% (2.09 vs. 2.51% lysine) of the genetic potential for nitrogen deposition (ND maxT). The observed lysine requirements for growth performance between 60 and 70% of ND maxT were in line with actual recommendations. Additionally, the delivered effect of varying dietary efficiency of lysine utilization on calculated lysine requirements ranks this factor as very important and needs more experiments for reliable evaluation of variation of lysine efficiency in practical fish diets. Before application of the established lysine requirement data in diet formulation, more experimental data due to this important dietary factor of influence are needed.

Comparison of modified Concept PR 100 and spray-dried animal plasma on nursery pig performance (2007)

One hundred eighty weanling pigs (initially 11.3 lb and 18 ± 2 d of age) were used in a 28-d growth assay to determine if Modified Concept PR 100 (MCNPR), a plant-based protein ingredient containing added synthetic amino acids and nucleic acids, can replace spray-dried animal plasma (SDAP) in nursery pig diets. The five experimental treatments were: 1) control (no specialty protein source); 2) 2.5% SDAP; 3) 5.0% SDAP; 4) 2.5% MCNPR; and 5) 5.0% MCNPR. Treatment diets were fed from d 0 to 14 post-weaning, with a common diet fed to all pigs from d 14 to 28 post-weaning. Analyzed values of MCNPR were noticeably lower than the manufacturer provided values used in diet formulation. The difference in calculated and analyzed lysine values would decrease the total dietary lysine content by 0.027 and 0.056% for the 2.5 and 5.0% MCNPR, respectively. From d 0 to 14, pigs fed increasing SDAP had improved (linear, P<0.01) ADG, ADFI, and F/G, which was primarily due to a large improvement from the 0 to 2.5% SDAP inclusion, with further increases when 5.0% was fed. In addition pigs fed increasing levels of MCNPR had improved (quadratic, P<0.002) feed efficiency, with pigs fed 2.5% MCNPR having the maximum response. While no statistical differences (P>0.21) were detected in ADG and ADFI for pigs fed increasing levels of MCNPR, there were improvements by approximately 21 and 11%, respectively, over the control diet. However, pigs fed SDAP had greater (P<0.05) ADG, ADFI, and BW at d 14 compared to pigs fed MCNPR. Overall (d 0 to 28), pigs fed increasing SDAP from d 0 to 14 had greater (P<0.03) ADG and tended to have improved (P<0.08) ADFI and F/G. Also, pigs fed increasing MCNPR had improved (quadratic, P<0.01) feed efficiency, with pigs fed 2.5% MCNPR having the maximum response. While no statistical differences (P>0.18) were detected in ADG and ADFI for pigs previously fed increasing MCNPR, there were improvements by approximately 10 and 7%, respectively, over the control diet. Although the magnitude of difference between pigs fed SDAP and MCNPR was maintained to the end of the trial, there were no overall significant differences in growth between pigs fed SDAP and MCNPR (P>0.21). These results indicated that SDAP and MCNPR can effectively be used in nursery pig diets to improve growth performance when used as a partial replacement for soybean meal. However, pigs fed SDAP had greater performance than pigs fed MCNPR during the test period, but these differences were not found at the conclusion of the studies.; Swine Day, 2007, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 2007

Development of a Model to Describe the Compositional Growth and Dietary Lysine Requirements of Pigs Fed Increasing Dietary Concentrations of Ractopamine

AbstractTwo ractopamine (RAC) step-up programs were evaluated for their economic returns using a swine growth simulation program that incorporated growth responses to constant and to increased RAC concentrations. Dietary lysine concentrations were optimized to maximize daily returns above feed costs for 3 phases: (1) before RAC supplementation, (2) the first half of the RAC feeding period (14 or 18 d), and (3) the second half of the RAC feeding period. Diets were assumed to be corn-soybean meal based diets. Two durations of RAC feeding were evaluated, 28 and 35 d. The model compared constant RAC concentrations (0, 5, or 10 ppm) and two step-up programs in which 5ppm RAC was fed the first half of RAC feeding period followed by either 7.5 or 10ppm RAC. The initial BW of pigs at the start of the second phase diet was set at 78 and 72kg for the 28- and 35-d feeding durations, respectively. Two payment schemes were used: one set the lean-to-fat price ratio at 4:1, close to true carcass cut-out value, and the other set the lean-to-fat price ratio to 2:1, approximating carcass merit pricing systems. The 5 to 10ppm step-up had the greatest daily returns, followed by the 5 to 7.5ppm step-up, the constant RAC feeding, and the control. Step-up programs were predicted to be more profitable than feeding constant dietary RAC concentrations.

Dietary Lysine Requirement as Basis to Estimate the Essential Dietary Amino Acid Profile for Jundiá, Rhamdia quelen

Abstract The present study was designed to determine the optimal dietary lysine requirement for jundiá, Rhamdia quelen, fingerlings. Groups of 17 fish (1.4 ± 0.1 g) were stocked in 120‐L tanks and were fed semipurified diets (33% crude protein [CP] and 3500 kcal metabolizable energy) containing increasing concentrations of lysine (3.0, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, and 6.5% CP). After 119 d, fish weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), feed intake and feed conversion (FC), apparent net protein utilization (ANPU), body composition (CP, fat, and ash), and vertebral collagen were determined. WG and SGR increased as dietary lysine concentration in protein increased up to 4.5%, reducing at 6.0 and 6.5% lysine. Fish that were fed the lowest lysine concentration presented the worst feed conversion (FC), which improved for fish fed with 4.5% or more lysine. Feed consumption followed the same trend as FC. The highest ANPU was observed in fish fed with 4.5% lysine. Fish fed diets containing 4.5, 5.0, and 5.5% lysine accumulated more body protein (P &lt; 0.05). Collagen vertebral concentration was significantly higher in fish fed with the 4.5% lysine diet. Dietary requirement for lysine was 4.5 or 5.1% depending on the statistical model used for estimation: broken line or polynomial regression, respectively. The requirements for the other essential amino acids were estimated on the basis of the ideal protein concept and were similar to the requirements for other fish species, except for isoleucine, leucine, treonine, and valine, which were higher for jundiá.

Pyrroloquinoline quinone nutritional status alters lysine metabolism and modulates mitochondrial DNA content in the mouse and rat

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) added to purified diets devoid of PQQ improves indices of perinatal development in rats and mice. Herein, PQQ nutritional status and lysine metabolism are described, prompted by a report that PQQ functions as a vitamin-like enzymatic cofactor important in lysine metabolism (Nature 422 [2003] 832). Alternatively, we propose that PQQ influences lysine metabolism, but by mechanisms that more likely involve changes in mitochondrial content. PQQ deprivation in both rats and mice resulted in a decrease in mitochondrial content. In rats, α-aminoadipic acid (αAA), which is derived from α-aminoadipic semialdehyde (αAAS) and made from lysine in mitochondria, and the plasma levels of amino acids known to be oxidized in mitochondria (e.g., Thr, Ser, and Gly) were correlated with changes in the liver mitochondrial content of PQQ-deprived rats, but not PQQ-supplemented rats. In contrast, the levels of NAD dependent α-aminoadipate-δ-semialdehyde dehydrogenase (AASDH), a cytosolic enzyme important to αAA production from αAAS, was not influenced by PQQ dietary status. Moreover, the levels of U26 mRNA were not significantly changed even when diets differed markedly in PQQ and dietary lysine content. U26 mRNA levels were measured, because of U26's proposed, albeit questionable role as a PQQ-dependent enzyme involved in αAA formation.

Determination of the optimum dietary lysine concentration for boars and gilts penned in pairs and in groups in the weight range 60 to 100 kg

AbstractThree trials were conducted to determine the optimum dietary lysine concentration for maximum growth rate (ADG) or minimum food conversion ratio (FCR) of boars and gilts from 60 to 90 kg (in pairs) and 80 to 100 kg (in pairs or groups). Ninety pairs of pigs and six treatments (dietary lysine concentrations) were used in experiment 1 (60 to 90 kg), 144 pairs and eight treatments in experiment 2 (80 to 100 kg) and groups of 13 pigs (no.=42 groups) and six treatments in experiment 3 (80 to 100 kg). Experiments were arranged as randomized-block designs, blocked on the basis of sex and start weight. Isoenergetic diets (13·8 MJ digestible energy per kg) were based on barley, wheat, soya-bean meal, with added vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Dietary lysine concentrations were: 7·9, 8·8, 9·7, 10·7, 11·7 and 12·5 g/kg in experiment 1; 7·0, 7·9, 8·8, 9·7, 10·7, 11·7, 12·5 and 13·5 g/kg in experiment 2; and 7·0, 7·9, 8·8, 9·7, 10·7 and 11·7 g/kg in experiment 3. In experiment 1 (60 to 90 kg pairs), ADG increased (quadratic, P&lt;0·01) and FCR improved (quadratic, P&lt;0·001) with increased lysine concentration. Although boars grew faster (P&lt;0·001) and were more efficient (P&lt;0·001) than gilts, maximum ADG was predicted at 10·8 g lysine per kg and minimum FCR at 10·9 g lysine per kg for all pigs. In experiment 2 (80 to 100 kg pairs), a treatment×sex interaction for ADG (P&lt;0·01) and FCR (P&lt;0·05) indicated that boars grew faster and had better FCR than gilts at dietary lysine concentrations above 10·7 and 9·7 g/kg respectively, with no difference between the sexes below these lysine levels. Maximum ADG was predicted at 11·8 and 9·9 g lysine per kg and minimum FCR was predicted at 11·9 and 10·0 g lysine per kg for boars and gilts, respectively. In experiment 3 (80 to 100 kg groups) ADG increased (quadratic, P&lt;0·01) and FCR improved (quadratic, P&lt;0·001) as dietary lysine concentration increased. Boars had higher ADG (P&lt;0·001) and better FCR (P&lt;0·001) than gilts. Maximum ADG and minimum FCR were predicted at 9·3 and 9·6 g lysine per kg for all pigs. In conclusion, boars grew faster and more efficiently than gilts, with interactions in experiment 2 indicating a greater difference in performance at higher dietary lysine concentrations.

The effect of dietary lysine restriction during the grower phase and subsequent dietary lysine concentration during the realimentation phase on the performance, carcass characteristics and nitrogen balance of growing–finishing pigs

Two experiments (exp.) were conducted to determine the effect of dietary lysine restriction during the grower phase and subsequent dietary lysine concentration during realimentation on the performance, carcass characteristics and nitrogen (N) balance of growing–finishing pigs. Seventy-two pairs of crossbred [meatline sires × (Large White × Landrace) dams] pigs (36 pairs entire male, 36 pairs female) were used in a 2 × 4 factorial performance study (exp. 1, 35 to 96 kg). The two factors were Diet1 (two lysine levels: LO or HI, day (d) 0 to 35) and Diet2 (four lysine levels: LO, M1, M2 and HI, d36 to slaughter). A further 30 boars were used in a 2 × 3 factorial N-balance study (exp. 2, 31 to 42 kg; Diet1: LO or HI; Diet2: LO, M3 and HI). The crude protein (CP) and lysine contents of the five isoenergetic (14.0 MJ DE/kg) diets were: LO (139 g/kg CP, 8.1 g lysine/kg), M1 (162 g/kg CP, 9.7 g lysine/kg), M2 (190 g/kg CP, 11.4 g lysine/kg), M3 (180 g/kg CP, 10.7 g lysine/kg) and HI (217 g/kg CP, 13.1 g lysine/kg). Diets were based on barley, wheat and soyabean meal with added vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Ratios of amino acids relative to lysine were similar for all diets. From d0 to 35 in exp. 1, pigs fed LO had lower daily gains (ADG: 785 vs. 939 g/day; P < 0.001), daily lysine intakes (DLYIN: 14.4 vs. 22.6 g/day; P < 0.001) and poorer feed conversion ratios (FCR: 2.28 vs. 1.84 kg/kg; P < 0.001) than pigs fed HI. From d36 to slaughter, pigs initially fed LO had higher ADG than those initially fed HI (948 vs. 879 g/day; P < 0.01). However, from d0 to slaughter, pigs initially fed LO had lower ADG (868 g/day; P < 0.01) and DLYIN (19.1 g/day; P < 0.001) than those fed HI (913 g/day and 23.3 g/day respectively). There was a Diet1 × Diet2 interaction for FCR from d36 to slaughter and d0 to slaughter ( P < 0.05). FCR of pigs previously fed LO improved with each increase in dietary lysine concentration up to 13.1 g/kg (HI), but improvement was only evident for lysine concentrations up to 11.4 g/kg (M2) for pigs previously fed HI. In exp. 2, Diet1 was fed for an initial 5-day collection period (after adjustment to crate; C1). Diet2 was then fed and immediately there were 2 successive 5-day collection periods (C2 and C3). A Diet1 × Time interaction ( P < 0.001) indicated that although N retention (NRET) during C1 was lower for pigs fed LO, there was no difference during C2 and C3 in NRET of pigs initially fed either LO or HI (14.5 vs. 25.0 g/day; 23.2 vs. 23.0 g/day; 26.0 vs. 26.6 g/day, for C1, C2 and C3, respectively). However, a similar interaction indicates that although N excretion (NEX) was 23% lower for LO compared with HI pigs during C1, there was no residual reduction in NEX of pigs initially fed LO ( P < 0.01: 8.9 vs. 11.6 g/day; 12.3 vs. 12.7 g/day; 13.8 vs. 14.0 g/day, for C1, C2 and C3, respectively). Exp. 1 indicated improved performance and an ability to respond positively to higher lysine concentrations during realimentation for previously restricted compared with unrestricted pigs, however, overall performance was reduced. However, exp. 2 indicated that although NRET of initially restricted pigs increased during realimentation, it did not surpass that of unrestricted pigs. This apparent discrepancy may have been due to the time period of the N balance study.

Dietary lysine requirement of juvenile gilthead seabream Sparus aurata L.*

The dietary lysine requirement of juvenile gilthead seabream was determined by the growth response of duplicate groups of fish (3.5 g initial weight) fed on six isonitrogenous (427 g kg−1) and isolipidic (135 g kg−1) diets containing graded levels of crystalline l-lysine HCl, with dietary lysine content ranging from 36.3 to 79.7 g kg−1 of protein. The final indispensable amino acid profile of the diets except for lysine was formulated so as to resemble that of wild seabream whole body. Except for the reduced growth performance of fish groups fed the lysine-deficient diets no other deficiency signs were apparent. Survival observed throughout the feeding period of 6 weeks was excellent. Weight gain (in %), specific growth rate, feed efficiency and daily protein deposition (DPD) were significantly improved in response to the increasing levels of dietary lysine up to 52.7 g kg−1 of protein and remained nearly constant thereafter. Whole-body protein content followed a similar pattern as growth parameters in relation to dietary lysine level. Non-linear regression analysis of DPD against dietary lysine level using the four-parameter saturation kinetic model indicated a lysine requirement of 50.4 g kg−1 of protein for this species to support growth.

Development of the Indicator Amino Acid Oxidation Technique to Determine the Availability of Amino Acids from Dietary Protein in Pigs

Standardized ileal ("true") digestibility is currently the best estimate of amino acid digestibility, but it does not measure bioavailability. Growth assays to determine amino acid bioavailability are expensive and laborious; thus, a rapid method is needed. Applying the principle of slope-ratio assay to the indicator amino acid oxidation (IAAO) method, we hypothesized that the reduction in indicator oxidation per gram of lysine in feedstuffs relative to that per gram of free lysine represented the bioavailability of lysine, here termed "metabolic availability." Indicator oxidation in pigs was linear over increasing lysine intakes (r = 0.90, P = 0.001) when the dietary lysine contents were 2 SD below the mean lysine requirement of the pigs. Peas were treated (raw, heated to reduce lysine availability, or heated with added lysine) to test the responsiveness of the IAAO to differing lysine availability. Free lysine reduced indicator oxidation by 3.16% of dose oxidized per gram added lysine, whereas the addition of protein lysine as raw (-2.81%) and heated peas (-1.73%) reduced oxidation to a lesser degree. Adding free lysine to heated peas decreased indicator oxidation, evidence that heating had worsened the utilization of pea protein for protein synthesis by reducing the bioavailability of lysine alone. Pea diets differed only in the availability of lysine; therefore IAAO detected differences in lysine bioavailability. Because the IAAO technique responds to lysine available at the sites of protein synthesis, the metabolic availability covers all losses during digestion, absorption, and utilization of lysine. This method can determine the metabolic availability of amino acids of a feedstuff within 2 wk.

Energia metabolizável e lisina digestível para suínos na fase de crescimento, criados em condições de segregação sanitária

Em dois ensaios simultâneos avaliou-se níveis de energia metabolizável (EM) e de lisina digestível (LIS) para suínos de linhagem específica, na fase de crescimento, criados em condições de isolamento sanitário. Foram utilizados 72 machos castrados com 23,34 ± 1,62 kg e 72 marrãs com 21,56 ± 2,86 kg. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 2 x 3, com seis repetições e dois animais por unidade experimental. Os tratamentos decorreram da combinação dos fatores EM (3.270 e 3.500 kcal/kg de ração) e LIS (0,83; 1,03 e 1,23%). Não houve interação dos fatores, mas foram constatados efeitos principais de EM e LIS sobre as variáveis de desempenho. Os machos castrados apresentaram respostas diferenciadas aos níveis crescentes de lisina dietética, com aumento linear no ganho em peso, enquanto no consumo de ração e na conversão alimentar ocorreu respostas quadráticas. As marrãs apresentaram redução linear na conversão alimentar em resposta à elevação da concentração de lisina na dieta. Criados com separação de sexo e em condições desejáveis de saúde, na fase de crescimento, suínos machos castrados e marrãs da linhagem genética estudada, responderam eficientemente ao acréscimo de lisina digestível nas dietas. Os benefícios dietéticos da lisina no desempenho dos machos castrados não dependeram dos níveis estudados de energia. Nas marrãs, a melhor conversão alimentar foi obtida com dietas de 3.500 kcal EM, caracterizando a maior eficiência na utilização dos nutrientes para as necessidades de desempenho, em comparação aos machos castrados.

Determination of the optimum dietary lysine concentration for growing pigs housed in pairs and in groups

AbstractThree 28-day trials were carried out to determine the optimum dietary lysine concentration for growing pigs between 20 and 68 kg. There were 96 pairs of pigs in experiment 1 (20 to 41 kg), 72 pairs in experiment 2 (40 to 68 kg) and 42 groups (14 per group) in exp. 3 (40 to 62 kg). All experiments were arranged as randomized complete block designs, blocked on the basis of sex and start weight. Treatments consisted of isoenergetic (13·8 MJ digestible energy per kg) diets with increasing lysine concentrations. Dietary lysine concentrations were 9·7, 10·7, 11·6, 12·5, 13·5 and 14·4 g/kg (experiment 1) and 9·0, 9·9, 11·0, 12·1, 13·1 and 14·1 g/kg (experiments 2 and 3). Response curves were fitted to the data to determine the optimum dietary lysine concentration for maximum average daily gain (ADG) and minimum food conversion ratio (FCR). In experiment 1, ADG and FCR responded quadratically to dietary lysine content (P &lt; 0·01 and P &lt; 0·05). Male pigs had better FCR and lysine conversion ratio (LCR) than female pigs (P &lt; 0·05). In experiment 2, there was a quadratic effect of increasing dietary lysine concentration on FCR (P &lt; 0·05). Male pigs had lower daily food intake (DFI, P &lt; 0·01) and daily lysine intake (DLYIN, P &lt; 0·01) and had better FCR (P &lt; 0·01) and LCR (P &lt; 0·01) than female pigs. In experiment 3, there was a quadratic effect of increasing lysine concentration on FCR (P &lt; 0·05). Male pigs had better FCR and LCR (P &lt; 0·05) than female pigs. In all experiments, increasing dietary lysine concentration resulted in an increase in DLYIN and a deterioration in LCR (all linear, P &lt; 0·001). Regression analysis predicted optimum dietary lysine concentrations for maximum ADG at 13·1 and 12·7 g lysine per kg in experiments 1 and 2, and minimum FCR at lysine concentrations of 14·6, 12·2 and 12·7 g/kg for experiments 1, 2 and 3 respectively. In conclusion, the optimum dietary lysine concentration for maximum ADG and minimum FCR could be predicted using quadratic models and although males had better FCR than females, optimum dietary lysine concentrations were similar for both sexes.