Effects of the Sequence of Isocaloric Meals with Different Protein Contents on Plasma Biochemical Indexes in Pigs

Abstract

Nutrient composition and pattern of food intake may play a significant role in weight gain. The aim of this study was to document the effects of a daily 3-meal pattern with isocaloric diets containing different dietary protein contents on growth performance and different plasma biochemical indexes including amino acid plasma concentration in castrated male pigs. Then, 21 DLY (Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire) pigs aged 60 days were assigned randomly into 3 groups: a control group (crude protein, CP 18.1%), a group receiving high then basal and then low CP meals (High-Low group) and a group receiving low then basal and then high CP meal (Low-High group) for 40 days with pigs being feed-restricted. On day 40, after 12 h fasting, blood samples were obtained for analysis. The results showed that the insulin/glucagon ratio was lower in the High-Low group (P<0.05) when compared with the control group. Compared with the control group, the average daily gain of pigs from the High-Low group increased by 14.10% (P = 0.046). Compared with the control group, serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) decreased significantly (P<0.05) in both the High-Low and Low-High groups. Plasma concentrations of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA: valine, isoleucine and leucine) increased in the Low-High group (P<0.05) when compared with the control group; and plasma methionine and serine decreased in both the two experimental groups (P<0.05). Compared with the High-Low group, all the BCAA increased significantly (P<0.05) in the Low-High group. These findings suggest that the sequence and quantity of alimentary protein intake affect the insulin/glucagon ratio, as well as amino acid concentrations including BCAA, methionine and serine. It is proposed that meal pattern with pigs receiving high then basal and then low CP meals daily may help to improve the weight gain of pigs.

Effects of a daily three‐meal pattern with different dietary protein contents on pig growth performance, carcass and muscle quality traits

“…Nutritional requirements change dynamically during the day and vary also among animals, even in age‐ or sex‐homogeneous populations . Previous studies have indicated that nutrient efficiency could be improved by better adjusting nutrient supplementation to individual requirements of the animals . This study differs from previous ones since the level of dietary protein was given in a different time‐scale during the day in a context of similar nutritional conditions between the experimental groups.…”

“…Additionally, the daily three‐meal pattern with different dietary protein contents, based on the circadian clock for weight management, body weight regulation, hunger control, and metabolic disease management, is not supported by sufficient evidence in the associated scientific literature. In our previous study, we found that the sequence and quantity of alimentary protein intake affected the insulin/glucagon ratio, as well as amino acid concentrations including branched chain amino acids, methionine and serine . It is then conceivable that meal pattern with pigs receiving high then basal and then low crude protein meals daily may help to improve the weight gain of growing pigs.…”

“…Most studies investigating the effects of altering the timing of food intake have previously been performed in mouse models, but there are only few reports in pigs . Additionally, the daily three‐meal pattern with different dietary protein contents, based on the circadian clock for weight management, body weight regulation, hunger control, and metabolic disease management, is not supported by sufficient evidence in the associated scientific literature.…”

Effects of a two-meal daily feeding pattern with varied crude protein levels on growth performance and antioxidant indexes in pigs

“…It is reported that a high protein meal in the evening significantly increased the plasma branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) concentration on the next morning, even more than 12 h after the meal, demonstrating that varying the protein content in the meal pattern with different dietary protein contents may affect the use of some essential amino acids ( Nishioka et al., 2013 ). Our previous study also found that the sequence and quantity of alimentary protein intake affect the insulin/glucagon ratio, as well as amino acid concentrations including BCAA, methionine and serine ( Xie et al., 2015 ). Strong associations exist among the important indexes, ADG, ADFI, and F/G, all of which reflect growth and development in pigs.…”

A Maternal Two-meal Feeding Sequence with Varying Crude Protein Affects Milk Lipid Profile in A Sow-Piglet Model

“…Previous studies have reported that feeding time affects body weight and the risk of obesity in humans 7 , 8 . Our previous study showed that a daily meal sequence with different dietary crude protein (CP) affected the metabolism and growth performance in growing pigs 9 , and improved muscle quality characteristics 10 . As one of the most important parts of milk, fat or fatty acid is important for offspring growth 11 .…”