Dietary supplementation with branched-chain amino acids enhances milk production by lactating sows and the growth of suckling piglets

Abstract

Background Under current dietary regimens, milk production by lactating sows is insufficient to sustain the maximal growth of their piglets. As precursors of glutamate and glutamine as well as substrates and activators of protein synthesis, branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) have great potential for enhancing milk production by sows. Methods Thirty multiparous sows were assigned randomly into one of three groups: control (a corn- and soybean meal-based diet), the basal diet + 1.535% BCAAs; and the basal diet + 3.07% BCAAs. The ratio (g/g) among the supplemental L-isoleucine, L-leucine and L-valine was 1.00:2.56:1.23. Diets were made isonitrogenous by the addition of appropriate amounts of L-alanine. Lactating sows had free access to drinking water and their respective diets. The number of live-born piglets was standardized to 9 per sow at d 0 of lactation (the day of parturition). On d 3, 15 and 29 of lactation, body weights and milk consumption of piglets were measured, and blood samples were obtained from sows and piglets 2 h and 1 h after feeding and nursing, respectively. Results Feed intake did not differ among the three groups of sows. Concentrations of asparagine, glutamate, glutamine, citrulline, arginine, proline, BCAAs, and many other amino acids were greater (P < 0.05) in the plasma of BCAA-supplemented sows and their piglets than those in the control group. Compared with the control, dietary supplementation with 1.535% and 3.07% BCAAs increased (P < 0.05) concentrations of free and protein-bound BCAAs, glutamate plus glutamine, aspartate plus asparagine, and many other amino acids in milk; milk production by 14% and 21%, respectively; daily weight gains of piglets by 19% and 28%, respectively, while reducing preweaning mortality rates by 50% and 70%, respectively. Conclusion Dietary supplementation with up to 3.07% BCAAs enhanced milk production by lactating sows, and the growth and survival of their piglets.

Productive and physiological implications of top-dress addition of branched-chain amino acids and arginine on lactating sows and offspring

“…The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of BCAAs and Arg, alone or in combination, and above the nutritional requirement, on the physiological parameters, microbial profile and performance of lactating sows and their offspring. The absence of any effect of BCAAs and Arg on the body variation of the sows, in terms of ADG, backfat and muscle loss, observed in the present study agreed with previous studies in which BCAAs [ 39 – 42 ] and Arg [ 8 , 43 ] were added to the feed of the sows at higher levels than the standard NRC requirements [ 23 ]. This confirmed the validity of the NRC requirement.…”

“…Lactating sows have a high requirement of BCAAs as they are major components of milk proteins, and they can be catabolised to provide glutamine and glutamate in the mammary tissue [ 5 ]. The supplementation of lactating sows with increasing dietary levels of BCAAs has improved the weaning weight and weight gain of litters [ 5 , 6 ], and has decreased piglet mortality [ 8 ]. The effect of increasing the level of dietary Arg above the known requirements has been more intensively studied in gestating sows while its supplementation during the lactation period has been less studied, notwithstanding the potential role of Arg.…”

Enhancing amino acid productivity and profile in black soldier fly larvae through NAT transporter suppression in the excretion system

“…Valine, a branched-chain AA (BCAA), contributes to muscle protein synthesis, and a high level of BCAAs in diet can enhance animal performance (Cemin et al ., 2019; Gorissen and Phillips, 2018; Kerkaert et al ., 2021). A diet with a high valine-to-lysine ratio improves mammary gland development in gilts, while sows fed a high-BCAA diet produce high-quality milk, thereby enhancing the growth of their piglets (Che et al ., 2020; Rezaei et al ., 2022). An increase in histidine, valine, and methionine contents could make BSFL an ideal protein source for animals.…”

Abomasal infusion of branched-chain amino acids or branched-chain keto-acids alter lactation performance and liver triglycerides in fresh cows

“…However, future evidence quantifying changes in gluconeogenesis in response to BCAA or BCKA supplementation may be required to support this hypothesis. Previous reports from both monogastric and ruminant studies have also illustrated the impact of BCAA supplementation on circulating glucose concentration [ 36 , 37 ]. As the main precursor for lactose production in the mammary gland, mammary glucose uptake greatly impacts the circulating glucose concentration in dairy cows, especially during early lactation when cows enter a phase of negative energy balance [ 38 , 39 ].…”