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Serum Free Amino Acids in Piglets during the Early Postnatal Period¹

Royal Veterinary College,² S-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden

Abstract

Levels of free amino acids, alpha-amino nitrogen and soluble nitrogen were quantitatively determined in the serum of newborn piglets and in the same piglets after 3 days of suckling. The total for alanine, glycine and lysine represented 43% of total amino acids measured in newborn piglet serum. Low levels were obtained for histidine, aspartic acid, methionine, isoleucine and phenylalanine. All amino acids except valine, alanine, glutamic and aspartic acid were significantly increased in suckled piglets. The absolute increases were the greatest for proline, leucine, glycine and lysine. Expressed as the ratio of suckled/newborn levels the highest increases were observed in proline and isoleucine. The role of colostrum affecting blood free amino acid levels was discussed. Levels of alpha-amino nitrogen and soluble nitrogen were high at birth and decreased during suckling. Evidence was presented that the pig in utero receives increased amounts of non-precipitable amino nitrogen compounds other than the amino acids studied.

¹ This study was supported by grants from AB Lactamin, Stockholm, Sweden.

² Department of Animal Nutrition, Genetics and Hygiene.