Alteration of nitrogen metabolism by alpha-ketoglutarate administration in growing lambs fed high nonprotein nitrogen-containing diets

Two completely randomized design experiments were conducted, using either 10, 38-kg (Exp. 1) or 10, 26-kg (Exp. 2) Hampshire x Western wether lambs, to study the effects of alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) administration on N metabolism. Lambs were fed 890 and 885 g DM/d in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively, of corn-cottonseed hull basal diets with urea added to attain CP levels of 10.6 and 10.5% in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively. Experiments consisted of 10 d of adaptation followed by 7 d of infusion and excreta collection. Lambs were infused continuously either i.v. (Exp. 1) or abomasally (Exp. 2) with control solutions (CON) or solutions containing 41.3 g AKG/d (AKG). In Exp. 1, fecal and urinary N excretion and N retention were not affected (P greater than .10) by treatment. Compared to CON in Exp. 2, AKG infusion increased (P less than .10) fecal N output (6.6 vs 5.9 g N/d) but did not affect (P greater than .10) the amount of N retained (4.4 vs 3.5 g N/d). Compared to CON, AKG increased (P less than .10) urinary NH3 N excretion in Exp. 1. Serum urea N was lower (P greater than .10) for AKG than for CON in Exp. 1 but was not affected (P greater than .10) by treatment in Exp. 2. In Exp. 1, AKG appeared to reduce activities of several serum enzymes that function in amino N metabolism. In Exp. 1, compared to CON, AKG decreased (P less than .10) aspartate but increased (P less than .10) asparagine in serum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Absorption, metabolism and excretion of 3-acetyl DON in pigs.

The absorption, metabolism and excretion of 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-aDON) in pigs were studied. Pigs with a faecal microflora known to be able to de-epoxidate trichothecenes were used in the experiment. The pigs were fed a commercial diet with 3-aDON added in a concentration of 2.5 mg/kg feed for 2.5 days. No traces of 3-aDON or its de-epoxide metabolite were found in plasma, urine or faeces. Deoxynivalenol (DON) was detected in plasma as soon as 20 min after start of the feeding. The maximum concentration of DON in plasma was reached after 3 h and decreased rapidly thereafter. Only low concentrations close to the detection limit were found in plasma 8 h after start of the feeding. A significant part of the DON in plasma was in a glucuronide-conjugated form (42 +/- 7%). No accumulation of DON occurred in plasma during the 60 h of exposure. The excretion of DON was mainly in urine (45 +/- 26% of the toxin ingested by the pigs) and only low amounts of metabolites of 3-aDON (2 +/- 0.4%) were recovered in faeces. De-epoxide DON constituted 52 +/- 15% of the total amount of 3-aDON-metabolites detected in faeces. The remaining part in faeces was DON. DON was still present in the urine and faeces at the end of the sampling period 48 h after the last exposure. The results show that no de-epoxides are found in plasma or urine in pigs after trichothecene exposure, even in pigs having a faecal microflora with a de-epoxidation activity. The acetylated form of the toxin is deacetylated in vivo. Furthermore, the experiment shows that the main part of DON is rapidly excreted and does not accumulate in plasma, but a minor part of the toxin is retained and slowly excreted from the pigs.     

日粮添加麦饭石对生长猪消化代谢的影响

为了研究添加单纯麦饭石及强化微量元素麦饭石的营养效果,配制4个处理的日粮,即基础日粮组、3%湖南麦饭石(HMF)组、3%中华麦饭石(CMF)组、0.5%湖南麦饭石+微量元素(HMFME)组,选用4头杜洛克×长白二元杂交猪,采用4×4拉丁方设计进行消化代谢试验,分别测定了4种日粮的营养物质消化代谢率。结果,4种日粮中,麦饭石补加了微量元素的HMFME日粮效果最好,对营养物质的消化和代谢均有明显改善,除NDF外,HMFME日粮各种常规营养物质消化率显著高于其它3种日粮(P<0.05),干物质、有机物、能量、粗蛋白、酸性洗涤纤维的消化率比基础日粮分别提高3.89%、4.24%、5.54%、8.17%、34.2%,比单一湖南麦饭石日粮分别提高7.85%、4.87%、5.93%、11.47%、41.6%。各种氨基酸消化率,不管是必需氨基酸还是非必需氨基酸消化率均显著高于另外3种日粮(P<0.05),其中第一氨基酸赖氨酸、第二限制性氨基酸蛋氨酸和总必需氨基酸(EAA)的消化率比基础日粮分别高11.41%、44.17%、15.94%,比单一湖南麦饭石日粮则分别高10.08%、23.34%、12.63%。两个单一添加麦饭石的日粮,营养物质消化代谢结果几乎完全一致,单一添加麦饭石对营养物质的消化率没有明显影响,但可明显改善营养物质在体内的代谢,能量和蛋白质代谢的各种营养指标均显著地高于对照的基础?     

Absorption and metabolism of estrogens from the stomach and duodenum of pigs

To determine the absorption and metabolism of 17β-estradiol (E₂) by the stomach and liver of the pig, crystalline E₂ was placed in the stomach of prepubertal gilts. Blood samples were subsequently obtained from the hepatic portal and jugular veins and plasma was assayed for E₂, estrone (E₁), 17β-estradiol-glucuronide (E₂G), estrone-glucuronide (E₁G) and estrone-sulfate (E₁S). Concentrations of E₂, E₁, E₂G and E₁S rose in the hepatic portal vein within five min and remained elevated for several hr. Concentration of E₂ represented only 6% of the total estrogen detected in the hepatic portal vein during the sampling period, indicating that most of the E₂ was converted or conjugated prior to entering the hepatic portal vein. The metabolism of E₂ presumably occurred in the stomach mucosa because food had been withheld for 26 hr before infusion of E₂. Concentrations of E₂G, E₁G and E₁S, but not E₂ and E₁, rose in the jugular vein and remained elevated for several hr. The lack of a rise in E₂ and E₁ in the jugular vein indicates that the E₂ and E₁ from the hepatic portal vein were completely converted and/or removed by the liver. Most of E₂ was converted to E₁ and then to E₁G. The infusion of bile containing normal estrogens from pregnant gilts into the duodenum of prepubertal gilts resulted in a peak of E₁G and E₂G in the hepatic portal and jugular veins within a few minutes. This was followed in about 180 min by a second sustained rise. The first peak was essentially abolished by extracting E₁ and E₂ from the bile before infusion. The second peak failed to occur in gilts given antibiotics orally to reduce gut bacteria before infusion of bile.     

Difference in energy metabolism and protein retention of limit-fed growing pigs of several breeds

Energy metabolism and protein retention of four pig breeds were studied in three experiments comparing Norwegian (N) landrace with either Finnish (F) landrace (Exp. 1), Great Yorkshire (Y, Exp. 2) or Dutch landrace (D, Exp. 3). An increasing or decreasing temperature regimen (11 to 26 degrees C) was used. The animals were kept at a constant feeding level (about 93 g.kg -.75.d -1). Energy and protein balances were measured at increasing and decreasing temperature conditions separately. The three landrace breeds utilized their dietary energy and protein with similar efficiencies. However, large differences were observed between Y and N pigs in Exp.2. The Y pigs had a higher growth rate, lower feed/gain, lower heat production, and higher protein deposition than the N pigs. These differences were related to a lower level of activity of the Y pigs. This lower activity level resulted in lower maintenance requirements of the Y pigs compared with the N pigs. Growth rate and feed conversion differed between balance periods. When the temperature within a period was being increased, growth rate was higher and feed/gain was lower compared with periods in which the temperature was being decreased. Breeds differ with respect to energy and protein utilization.     

饲料中添加烟酸铬对肥育猪生长和代谢的影响

将20头杜长大肥育猪随机分成试验组和对照组,试验组日粮添加200μg·kg-1烟酸铬(以Cr元素计)作85天饲喂试验。结果表明:(1)试验组日增重比对照组提高10.9%;料重比下降6%。(2)添加烟酸铬对血清中钾、钠、氯化物、镁、总蛋白、白蛋白、高密度脂蛋白、谷草转氨酶、谷丙转氨酶、乳酸脱氢酶、α-羟丁酸脱氢酶、直接胆红素、总胆红素、IgG、IgM无影响(P>0.05);血清中钙、磷、铁、葡萄糖、尿素氮、尿酸、甘油三脂、总胆固醇、血红蛋白、磷酸肌酸激酶和肌酐的含量显著下降;碱性磷酸酶含量显著升高(P<0.01)。(3)猪体组织Cr含量均未超过国家限量标准。(4)猪体各器官组织正常。由此可见,在生长肥育猪中添加一定量铬制剂对猪有正面效应。     

Effect of human growth hormone-releasing factor on bone and mineral metabolism in growing pigs

Little information is available on the effects of growth hormone (GH) and growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF and GHRH) treatment on bone metabolism in pigs. Thus, tibial bending moments and ash contents were studied in 12, 6-wk-old pigs weighing 13 +/- .2 kg. Six pigs (GRF group) were injected s.c. twice daily with 75 micrograms GRF (hGRF [1-29] NH2)/kg BW for 52 d and six remained untreated (control group, C). Average daily gain was slightly (5%; P less than .10) increased in treated pigs. At slaughter, plasma measurements related to calcium homeostasis, such as concentrations of Ca, inorganic P, and vitamin D metabolites (25-OH and 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3), were not changed by GRF injection. At slaughter, plasma GH levels were 3.3 times greater in treated (11.3 +/- 3 ng/ml) than in untreated pigs (3.4 +/- .5 ng/ml, P less than .02), whereas those of insulin-like growth factor I were increased by approximately 38%. No difference was observed between the two groups at slaughter in tibial weight, density, bending moment, ash relative to bone volume (29 +/- 1 vs 30 +/- 2 g/100 cm3, GRF vs C), total ash content, or ash relative to dry matter in cortical or medullary bone. Our GRF treatment did not affect bone and mineral metabolism in young, growing pigs.     

Effect of somatotropin on nonesterified fatty acid and glycerol metabolism in growing pigs.

Eight crossbred barrows (71 kg initial BW) were allocated to two treatments involving daily i.m. injections of either excipient (control) or recombinantly derived porcine somatotropin (120 micrograms/kg of BW). On d 8 of treatment, beginning 15 h after injection, glycerol and nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) kinetics were determined using a primed, continuous infusion of [2-3H]glycerol and [9,10(n)-3H]oleic acid. Kinetics were examined under both basal conditions and during a hyperinsulinemic/euglycemic clamp. Plasma concentrations of NEFA and glycerol and their respective entry rates were highly correlated. Insulin had no effect on plasma glycerol or glycerol entry rate, probably due to the very low rates that were observed in both the control and somatotropin-treated pigs. However, both plasma NEFA and oleic acid entry rate were reduced during hyperinsulinemia. Although indices of fat mobilization tended to be higher in pigs treated with somatotropin, the magnitude of the increases were small and would be sufficient to account for only a minor fraction of the decreased lipid accretion observed in somatotropin-treated pigs.     

抗热应激剂对高温条件下生长猪生产性能和代谢的影响

选取体重约 2 0kg的杜× (长×大 )杂交猪 90头 ,随机分为 5个处理 ,每个处理 3个重复 ,每重复 6头 ,单栏饲养于试验猪舍内。各组分别饲喂含不同抗热应激剂的饲粮 ,对照组不含抗热应激剂 ,试验组依次添加中草药添加剂 2 %、蛋氨酸锌 5 30mg/kg、吡啶甲酸铬 2 0 0mg/kg和酸化剂 15 0 0mg/kg ,饲养期 4 9d。试验结果表明 :①含抗热应激剂各试验组的日增重和采食量均高于对照组 ,而蛋氨酸锌组和吡啶甲酸铬组的料重比均低于对照组 ;②从血清生化指标看 ,酸化剂组BUN(P <0 .0 5 )和SOD值 (P <0 .0 1)显著低于对照组 (P <0 .0 5 )。而各组的TG和MDA差异不显著 (P >0 .0 5 )。总之 ,中草药添加剂、蛋氨酸锌、吡啶甲酸铬和酸化剂均能增强生长猪在高温条件下的蛋白质分解和糖异生作用 ,进而改善生产性能     

α-酮戊二酸对免疫应激仔猪肝脏氨基酸代谢的影响

试验研究了α-酮戊二酸(AKG)对免疫应激下仔猪氨基酸代谢的影响。将24头(24±1)日龄仔猪[杜×长×大,体重(7.25±0.23)kg]随机分为3个处理组,每个处理组设8个重复,每个重复1头猪。3个处理组分别为:对照组、应激对照组(LPS组)、试验组(AKG组)。各组基础日粮一致,空白对照组和应激对照组饲喂基础日粮+1%淀粉,AKG组饲喂基础日粮+1%AKG。试验期为17d。在试验第10、12、14和16d分别在LPS组和AKG组仔猪的腹膜注射80μg/kgBW脂多糖(LPS),对照组注射相应剂量的灭菌生理盐水。第17d清晨屠宰空腹仔猪,取肝组织样品,分析游离氨基酸含量。结果显示:免疫应激导致仔猪肝脏酪氨酸(Tyr)含量显著下降了81.82%(P0.05),赖氨酸(Lys)的含量有下降的趋势(P0.1),AKG组仔猪肝脏的Tyr、Lys含量与LPS组和对照组差异均不显著;丙氨酸(Ala)的含量较LPS组有升高的趋势(P0.1),谷氨酸(Glu)的含量较对照组和LPS组均有上升的趋势(P0.1)。以上结果表明:AKG能在一定程度上缓解免疫应激对仔猪氨基酸代谢的影响,减轻LPS刺激对仔猪肝脏损伤。     

α-酮戊二酸对免疫应激下断奶仔猪肝损伤的影响

24头体质量为(7.25±1.13)kg的(21±1)日龄(杜×长×大)断奶仔猪随机分为3组,每个组设有8个重复,每个重复1头猪。3个组分别为:饲喂基础日粮,注射生理盐水(对照组);饲喂基础日粮,注射脂多糖(LPS)(LPS组);饲喂基础日粮+1%α-酮戊二酸(AKG),注射LPS(AKG组)。预试期7d,正式试验期16d,探讨AKG对免疫应激下断奶仔猪肝损伤的影响。结果显示:(1)LPS刺激导致血清腺苷脱氨酶(ADA)的活性显著升高了15.29%(P0.05),日粮添加1%AKG血清ADA活性较LPS组降低了7.85%(P0.05);(2)LPS刺激导致肝脏丙二醛(MDA)活性显著升高了59.61%(P0.05)以及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性显著降低了23.21%(P0.05),而日粮添加1%AKG肝脏MDA活性较LPS组降低了13.70%(P0.05)、GSH-Px活性则升高了17.16%(P0.05);(3)LPS刺激导致肝脏总蛋白质含量和RNA/DNA比值分别显著增加了8.20%(P0.05),10%(P0.05),而日粮添加1%AKG较LPS组肝脏总蛋白质含量和RNA/DNA比值分别降低了3.94%(P0.05),10%(P0.05)。结果表明:AKG能在一定程度上缓解LPS刺激对断奶仔猪肝脏的损伤。     

Absorption and utilization of amino acids infused into the cecum of growing pigs. 1. Measurement of N-balance for utilization of lysine and isoleucine; isoleucine requirement for growing pigs

In N-balance experiments with growing pigs (40-60 kg live weight) investigations were made whether lysine or isoleucine that is infused into the caecum can be absorbed there and to what extent these amino acids in that case can be utilised by the animal for protein synthesis. The pigs either received basic rations with insufficient lysine or isoleucine resp. (negative control group) or the amounts of lysine and isoleucine lacking to meet the requirement were supplemented with the feed (positive control group) or continuously infused into the caecum with the help of caecal infusion cannulae (test group). In the experiments with lysine the animals in the negative control group and in the test group showed considerably lower N-balances than the positive control group. There were no differences as regards the apparent digestibility of lysine between the positive control group and the test group. The urine of the test group contained distinctly more NH3. This shows clearly that lysine that is infused into the caecum cannot be utilised by the pigs, it is, on the contrary, microbially decomposed, the nitrogen is chiefly absorbed as NH3 and excreted in urine. As regards isoleucine, the deficit brought about with the basic ration was insufficient in order to achieve significant differences between the N-balance values of the groups so that unambiguous statements on the absorption and utilisation of isoleucine infused into the caecum cannot be made. Concerning apparent digestibility of isoleucine and the NH3 content of the urine, the results of the isoleucine experiments were similar to those in the lysine experiments. According to our N-balance experiments the isoleucine requirement of pigs indicated in relevant literature as 5.6 g/kg dry matter of the feed is by far too high. It should be limited to 3.5 or a maximum of 4.0 g isoleucine per kg dry matter of the feed.     

低蛋白日粮对生长猪及育肥猪的影响

选取初始体重为25kg的杜×大×长三元健康生长猪176头及初始体重为50kg的杜×大×长三元健康育肥猪144头。采用单因子设计,分为对照组和试验组;对照组中日粮按照NRC（1998）营养需要量推荐配制,试验组在NRC推荐的日粮粗蛋白质水平上降低4个百分点探讨低蛋白质日粮对生长猪和育肥猪生长性能的影响。结果表明：生长猪试验组日增重比对照组增加了46g,提高幅度为6．82％：料肉比比对照组低10．96％：增重成本节约0．89元／kg体重。育肥猪试验1组日增重较高．比对照组增加23g．提高幅度为3．09％。试验2组与对照组日增重相当;试验1组、试验2组料肉比分别比对照组降低1．15％和3．2％;试验1组、试验2组增重成本分别比对照组节约0．44元／kg体重和0．49元／kg体重;试验组瘦肉率与对照组相比没有显著差异。从各指标的趋势上看．试验组的生长表现和经济效益均优于对照组．     

Ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate and creatine effects on growth and plasma metabolites of nursery pigs

Four experiments were conducted to determine the effect of dietary ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate (OKG) and creatine monohydrate on growth performance and plasma metabolites of nursery pigs. In each experiment, treatments were replicated with four to five pens of four to six pigs each. Each experiment lasted from 3 to 4 wk and Phase I (1.6% Lys) and Phase II (1.3 to 1.5% Lys) diets were fed for 9 to 16 d each. In Exp. 1, pigs (4.7 kg and 15 d of age) were fed diets containing 0, .10, or .75% OKG. Daily gain during a 13-d Phase I period and ADFI during Phase I and overall (29 d) were increased (P < .10) in pigs fed .75% OKG. Gain:feed ratio was not affected (P > .10) by diet. In Exp. 2, pigs (7.1 kg and 23 d of age) were fed 0 or .50% OKG during Phase I only. During Phase I, II, and overall, ADG and ADFI were not affected (P > .10) by OKG supplementation, but gain:feed was decreased during Phase I (P < .04), Phase II (P < .08), and overall (P < .04). Plasma urea N (PUN), glucose, and NEFA concentrations were not affected (P > .10) by OKG supplementation in this experiment. In Exp. 3, pigs (5.8 kg and 20 d of age) were fed diets containing 0, .10, or .50% creatine. Creatine tended to linearly decrease ADG (P = .11) and plasma albumin (P = .12) and PUN (P < .10) concentrations in Phase II (d 12 to 26). In Exp. 4, 850 mg of OKG or 750 mg of creatine was provided daily by oral capsule to pigs 4 d before weaning to 2 d after weaning. Pigs within a litter received either no capsule or capsules containing OKG or creatine. After weaning, pigs that received no capsule before weaning received no treatment, .50% creatine, or .50% OKG in the nursery diet. Pigs that received OKG before weaning received no treatment or .50% OKG, and pigs that received creatine before weaning received no treatment or .50% creatine in the nursery diet. Pigs weighed 3.9 kg 4 d before weaning and 4.9 kg at weaning at an average age of 20 d. The OKG provided by capsule decreased ADG (P < .02) and ADFI (P < .09) during Phase II. The OKG did not affect (P > .10) plasma NEFA, glucose, or urea N concentrations. Creatine added to the nursery diet increased (P < .02) ADFI and decreased (P < .10) gain:feed during Phase II and overall. Creatine in the nursery diet also increased (P < .01) PUN, but it did not affect plasma glucose or NEFA concentrations. Creatine and OKG have variable effects on growth performance and plasma metabolites of nursery pigs.     

Rickets in growing pigs and response to treatment

The clinical, radiological and pathological findings in a natural outbreak of rickets affecting 82 pigs are described. An interesting feature was the presence of gross articular abnormalities including resorption of subchondral bone with folding and ulceration of the articular cartilage. The diet was deficient in calcium and vitamin D. A diagnosis of rickets complicated by nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism was made. The results of treatment and the economics of the outbreak are discussed.     

Changes in energy metabolism in relation to physical activity due to fermentable carbohydrates in group-housed growing pigs

Fermentable nonstarch polysaccharides (dietary fiber) affect energy retention in group-housed growing pigs by reducing physical activity. This study assessed the effects of fermentation and bulkiness of dietary carbohydrates on physical activity in relation to energy metabolism. Eight clusters of 14 pigs were fed one of four diets in a 2x2 factorial arrangement. Factors included 1) gastrointestinal fermentation and 2) dietary bulkiness. Contrasts in fermentation were created by exchanging gelatinized maize starch with raw potato starch on a volume basis. Bulkiness was altered by adding 15% milled wheat straw to the diets. Apart from these differences, amounts of other dietary ingredients fed to the pigs were similar. Pigs were housed in groups. Nitrogen and energy balances were measured per cluster during a 14-d period. Dietary bulkiness did not affect ME intake, heat production, or energy retention. Metabolizability decreased when maize starch was replaced with raw potato starch (P< .01), resulting in a lower energy retention on the potato starch diets (P<.01). However, the lower ME intake on the potato diets was partially compensated by a reduced energy expenditure on physical activity (P< .01), which was 17.6% lower than that of pigs fed the maize starch diets. Dietary bulkiness did not affect physical activity. The effect of fiber-rich diets (nonstarch polysaccharides) on activity in growing group-housed pigs seems to be related to fermentation in the gastrointestinal tract, and not to bulkiness (volume).     

Protein metabolism in growing pigs fed corn or cassava peel based diets containing graded protein levels

Sixty-four Large White cross Landrace weanling pigs were randomly allotted to eight treatments in a two by four factorial arrangement. The two dietary variables were cassava peel (0 and 40 per cent) and crude protein (20, 15, 10 and 5 per cent). Total serum protein concentration was significantly (P less than 0.01) reduced by protein deficiency and by its interaction with cassava peel. The multiple coefficient of determination (R2) showed that protein intake was the primary factor determining changes in serum protein. R2 values for cyanide intake (independent variable) on serum protein (dependent variable) increased from day 30 to 90 of the trial. Serum urea was increased on the 5 per cent protein diets on days 60 and 90 of the trial. The R2 values for cyanide and protein intake on serum urea concentration increased from day 30 to day 90 of the trial. Serum creatinine increased (P less than 0.05) on the 5 per cent protein diet on day 90 of the trial. The R2 value for the effects of protein intake on serum creatinine was higher than for cyanide intake on days 30 and 90. The results confirm the progressive and pronounced effects of long term cyanide intake on serum nitrogenous metabolites in pigs consuming between 110 and 120 ppm hydrocyanic acid, especially in diets containing 10 per cent or less protein.     

超微茶粉对生长猪生长性能、胴体品质及脂肪代谢的影响

为了研究超微茶粉对生长猪生长性能、胴体品质及脂肪代谢的影响,将64头50 kg左右的杜长大阉公猪随机分为4组,每组4栏(重复),每栏4头,对照组采食基础日粮,试验组分别添加0.5%、1.0%和1.5%的超微茶粉,试验期70 d,试验结束时计算日增重、料重比,然后屠宰测定分析肌肉胴体品质及脂肪沉积性能。结果表明,超微茶粉对生长猪生长性能没显著影响,并且能显著降低肌内脂肪(IMF)含量,可以显著提高生长猪的瘦肉率和眼肌面积、猪肉肉色以及降低滴水损失和剪切力(P<0.05)。同时,利用前体脂肪细胞研究表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯(EGCG)对脂肪代谢关键基因表达的影响,结果表明,前体脂肪细胞在EGCG作用下,p-AMPKα蛋白和LPL基因表达显著增加,同时C/EBPβ、SREBP-1、PPARγ基因表达显著降低(P<0.05)。我们的结果提示,超微茶粉对生长猪生长性能没有影响,但可以显著改善肌肉品质,其作用机理可能与对脂肪代谢的调控有关。     

Absorption and utilization of amino acids infused into the cecum of growing pigs. 2. 15N-labeled lysine

Over a period of 4 days 15N-labelled lysine was infused into two growing female pigs (live weight approximately 50 kg) through a caecal cannula. The feeding was restrictive (1,400 g dry matter/day) and, with regard to lysine, it didn't meet the requirement. In a 7-day experiment the N- and 15N-content was measured periodically in the excretions (feces and urine), in various fractions of the blood and in selected slaughtering samples. From the infused 15N 3-5% are excreted as lysine in feces, another 5% are in other amino acids of the bacteria protein. The disappearance rate of 15N' from the large intestine makes greater than or equal to 90%. The biggest part of this 15N (78-88%) is excreted with the urine in form of 15N-urea. Obviously the infused amino acid is decomposed to NH3 in the large intestine and then absorbed. The absorbed ammonia is changed into urea in the ornithine cycle and excreted in urine. The recovery rate of the 15N infused as 15N-lysine is 93 and 84% resp. Incorporation of 15N in to serum protein or other body protein could not be detected so that the remaining difference of 7-16% cannot necessarily be interpreted as incorporation rate of 15N into the body protein. Under practical conditions the maximal utilisation of lysine from the feed in the large intestine is 1.6% and should thus be without importance.