Work

Pigs Can Detect Multiple Amino Acid Deficiencies in a Choice Feeding Setting

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Background It is unknown whether pigs can detect deficiencies in multiple amino acids (AA) and consequently change their feed choice. Objectives We investigated whether pigs compensate for a diet deficient in three AA (Thr, Trp , and Val) by selecting multiple diets and whether this compensation is affected by the supplemented AA concentration. Methods Pair-housed 5-wk-old pigs ( n = 96) were exposed to one of four treatments: 1 ) AA-adequate: offered a low-protein (LP) diet adequate in AA for growth (LP + ); 2 ) AA-deficient: offered LP diet deficient in Thr , Trp, and Val by 20% (LP – ); 3 ) Two-choice between LP + and LP – ; and 4 ) Four-choice between LP – and three diets supplemented with Thr, Trp, Val at +40% ( n = 12 pens/treatment) from d0 to d21 (phase 1). From d21 to d28, AA concentration of supplemented diets increased to +60% (phase 2). Average daily feed intake (ADFI) and gain (ADG) were recorded. Results Dietary treatment did not affect ADFI and ADG in phase 1 ( P > 0.05). In phase 2, ADFI and ADG were higher in AA-adequate and two-choice treatments than in AA-deficient treatment with four-choice in between ( P < 0.05). In both phases, Thr, Trp, and Val intake was lower in AA-deficient treatment than in other treatments. For the two-choice treatment, consumption of LP – was higher than LP + in both phases ( P < 0.05 and P < 0.001). Four-choice treatment consumed more LP – and Trp-supplemented than Thr- and Val-supplemented diets in phase 1 ( P < 0.001); in phase 2, consumption of the Trp-supplemented diet was the highest ( P < 0.01). Conclusions Pigs can detect multiple AA deficiencies and compensate by consuming AA-supplemented diets. In a two-choice setting, pigs proportionally decrease consumption of a supplemented diet with increased dietary AA concentration. However, when given the choice between individual AA-supplemented diets, pigs proportionally decrease consumption of a highly concentrated Val diet and increase preference for a highly concentrated Trp diet.

Source: Journal of Nutrition

DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2024.10.024

Authors: Ilaria Minussi, J Elizabeth Bolhuis, Alfons JM Jansman, Walter JJ Gerrits

Institution: Wageningen University & Research

Language: English

Topic: Animal Nutrition and Physiology

Subfield: Animal Science and Zoology

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $5,100